BJP workers repaint Kolkata’s Academy of Fine Arts ticket counter saffron

Kolkata's iconic Academy of Fine Arts continues to be embroiled in controversy over the repeated painting of a security room in saffron and white. The latest incident occurred on August 12, 2026, when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by MLA and actor Rudranil Ghosh repainted the room saffron after it had been briefly turned white by theatre practitioners. This follows a similar act earlier in July when the room was painted saffron by members of a Hindutva group, prompting protests from local artists. The Academy of Fine Arts, established in 1933 by Lady Ranu Mukherjee and Maharaja Prodyot Kumar Tagore, has long served as a cultural landmark in Kolkata. Initially housed in a room borrowed from the Indian Museum, it eventually moved to its current location on Cathedral Road, adjacent to the Rabindra Sadan. The institution boasts a vast collection of artworks by renowned figures such as Rabindranath Tagore, Abanindranath Tagore, Nandalal Bose, Jamini Ray, Gaganendranath Tagore, and Ramkinkar Baij. Its galleries span 6,300 square feet and include an auditorium and conference center used for major cultural events. In early June, the security room was painted saffron, drawing attention from the public and sparking protests from theatre artists. A group of artists gathered outside the Academy and staged a demonstration on June 10, 2026. On June 13, 14 theatre artists, including Bibhash Chakraborty, Arup Roy, Chandan Sen, Sourav Palodhi, and Arun Mukhopadhyay, wrote letters to BJP state president Mr. Bhattacharya and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, condemning the action as an un-artistic and politically motivated move. They argued that the decision was an attack on Bengal’s cultural heritage and called for accountability. Following these protests, CPI(M) leader Bikas Ranjan Bhattacharya and others repainted the room white on August 11, 2026. In response, BJP representatives, led by Ghosh, returned to the site the next day and reverted the color back to saffron. Ghosh accused the CPI(M) of attempting to maintain control over the institution through its affiliated trade union, CITU, and criticized them for disregarding the significance of saffron as a symbol of sacrifice. He claimed that the CPI(M) leaders were not concerned with the maintenance of the art galleries, which require urgent renovation. Arup Roy, secretary of the Aneek Theatre Group, expressed frustration over the politicization of the issue. He stated that the repeated changes in color represented an attempt at dominance and warned that the theatre community would continue to resist such actions. Meanwhile, BJP state president Mr. Bhattacharya denied involvement in the political maneuvering, stating that the party does not engage in such activities. He reiterated his stance that the unauthorized painting of the room was unacceptable and vowed to identify and take action against those responsible. The controversy reflects broader trends under the BJP’s governance in West Bengal, where government buildings, streets, and civic structures have undergone a visual transformation. Since taking power in May 2026, the administration has introduced a saffron-and-white color scheme, replacing the previous blue-white combination favored by the ruling Trinamool Congress. Trials have included decorating the historic Writers’ Building with saffron bulbs, as the government plans to relocate the state secretariat to this site. Road barricades and signboards have also been updated to align with the new aesthetic. As tensions persist, the Academy of Fine Arts remains a focal point for debates over cultural identity and political influence. With ongoing protests and conflicting claims, the situation shows no signs of resolution, leaving the institution at the center of a larger ideological struggle.