Research scholar Hindol Majumdar arrested at Delhi airport, CASR issues condemnation

By A Representative

Hindol Majumdar, a research scholar pursuing his PhD at the University of Granada, Spain, was detained by authorities at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on 13 August following the issuance of a lookout circular. He was later handed over to the Kolkata Police in connection with an alleged incident at Jadavpur University (JU) in March 2025.

According to police sources, Majumdar has been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act (PDPP Act), the West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order Act (WBMPO Act), and the Flag Code of India. The charges include wrongful restraint, causing hurt, mischief, criminal conspiracy, damage to public property, and disrespect to the national flag.

Authorities allege his involvement in an “attack” on the convoy of West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu during a visit to JU earlier this year. However, the Campaign Against State Repression (CASR), a coalition of student, activist, and civil rights groups, has disputed these claims, stating that Majumdar was not in India at the time and had been in Spain since November 2023. CASR further alleged that the case is fabricated and politically motivated.

The March incident in question occurred during a protest by JU students and various student organisations over the issue of pending union elections. Protesters claim they were attacked by individuals they allege were supporters of the ruling party. Several students sustained injuries, with at least one requiring ICU admission. The police, however, have maintained that the protesters obstructed and damaged the minister’s convoy.

CASR described Majumdar’s arrest as part of a broader pattern of action against students, academics, and activists in recent years, citing other instances of detentions, arrests, and book bans. The organisation has called for his immediate release and urged opposition to the government’s “Surajkund Scheme,” which it claims is being used to suppress dissent.

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