BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 27th August 2025 : Tensions flared at Tripura University following allegations that members of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and the Tribal Students’ Union (TSU) forcibly collected money from students under the guise of organizing a freshers’ welcome event.
University sources informed that the incident took place during a class in the IMD department when SFI activists reportedly entered the classroom without prior notice, shut the doors and demanded Rs 350 from each student as a mandatory contribution to attend the event. Students who refused to pay were allegedly threatened with exclusion from the program. The complaint further names SFI Secretary Asim Chowdhury as being directly involved in the coercive collection.
The situation escalated when members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) arrived at the scene accompanied by IMD Head of Department Prof. Arupjyoti Sharma. The alleged extortion was reportedly caught in the act without faculty approval. Despite initial resistance, SFI representatives were compelled to return the money following pressure from ABVP activists.
The incident triggered unrest across the campus. ABVP later filed a formal complaint at Amtali Police Station against the accused members of SFI and TSU. The organization also announced plans to submit a memorandum to the university’s Vice-Chancellor, urging action to preserve a safe and transparent academic environment.
ABVP has issued a stern warning, stating that any future attempts at forced fundraising within the university will be met with intensified protest.
“We will not tolerate coercion in any form. The campus must remain a space of integrity and safety,” an ABVP spokesperson said.
