The controversy surrounding Kolkata's iconic Academy of Fine Arts deepened after a section of its boundary wall was painted saffron for the third time in a month. Howrah Shibpur MLA Rudranil Ghosh was present at the site as the saffron color was restored over a fresh white coat applied just a day prior. Speaking at the venue, Ghosh declared that no further politicization, red flags, or sit-in slogans would be permitted at the prestigious cultural institution, while also targeting veteran Left leader Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya.
The dispute originally began on July 12 when the ticket counter near the main gate was painted saffron and a banner of Bharat Mata was put up. Theater personalities, including Chandan Sen, had raised objections with state BJP president Shamik Bhattacharya, calling the change an unwarranted political intrusion into a traditional cultural hub. Citing inaction from the administration despite assurances, a group of artists and technicians took matters into their own hands on Tuesday and repainted the saffron wall white under police supervision.
However, within 24 hours of being painted white, the wall was repainted saffron and the Bharat Mata picture was put back up. Responding to Rudranil Ghosh’s remarks, Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya criticized the MLA, alleging that the ruling political figures were acting out of arrogance and lacking a proper understanding of the consequences. The repeated repainting has triggered widespread debate across Kolkata's cultural and political circles.