A section of Kolkata’s renowned Academy of Fine Arts has been painted in saffron, leading to significant protests from local theatre artists. In response, they penned a letter to the West Bengal BJP State President, Samik Bhattacharya, demanding an investigation into the issue.
Since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) assumed power in West Bengal in May, various government buildings, streets, and civic structures have undergone a transformation in colors. Recent modifications include sections of the Nabanna secretariat being painted in saffron and white, alongside attempts to adorn the historic Writers’ Building with saffron light bulbs. The government aims to relocate the secretariat to this traditional site. Following this shift, many road barricades have also transitioned from a blue-and-white palette, favored by the previous Trinamool Congress government, to yellow and white.
Approximately a week ago, the security room of the Fine Arts Academy was painted saffron, which quickly drew public attention. Consequently, a group of artists gathered outside the academy to protest on Friday, June 10, 2026. By Monday, June 13, 2026, at least 14 theatre artists, including well-known figures such as Bibhash Chakraborty and Arup Roy, had dispatched a letter to Bhattacharya.
In their correspondence, the artists described the color change as an “un-artistic and distorted attack on Bengal’s culture,” pointing out that the act was executed by those who identified as supporters of the BJP. “We strongly protest these actions and earnestly hope to see this institution — a reservoir of Kolkata’s and India’s artistic heritage — restored to its previous state. We urge you, as the leader of the West Bengal State unit of the BJP and a proponent of theatre and the arts, to investigate the true circumstances surrounding this issue and take appropriate action,” the letter stated.
Chandan Sen, a notable theatre practitioner, commented that the artists sought an audience with Mr. Bhattacharya this week to discuss their concerns, hoping he would not endorse such unprecedented authoritarian actions. “His stance regarding Kamarhati is reassuring to many like me. We want to meet him, confident that he will not permit such actions,” Sen expressed.
Renowned theatre artist Bibhash Chakraborty criticized the situation, calling it sheer foolishness, reminding that the previous Trinamool Congress government had similarly banned red chairs shortly after assuming power. “The Academy carries a rich legacy within Bengal’s cultural theatre. You cannot alter people’s mindsets simply by changing the colors of buildings,” he asserted.
Arup Roy, Secretary of Aneek Theatre Group, mentioned that while artists have no objection to changing colors, protests are warranted when such colors symbolize dominance.
Reacting to the protests, actor-turned-MLA, Rudranil Ghosh, pointed out that similar acts have occurred every time there was a change in government at the Academy. “Why was there no outcry during the color changes initiated by the Left and the Trinamool Congress? When I spoke to them, they couldn’t even recall the original color of that security room. These artists are not merely theatre personalities; they are also Left idealists. They must remember that saffron is also the color of Swami Vivekananda and our National Flag. So, what’s wrong with saffron?” he remarked.
Meanwhile, the State BJP chief acknowledged the artists’ letter, expressing firm opposition to political bias. “This situation does not align with the BJP’s agenda. Previous administrations have made such changes. The BJP has come to power to end these disputes. We will not allow this to continue. I have read their letter and if we persist in these actions in Bengal, people will react negatively towards us. We certainly do not want that,” Bhattacharya stated.
The Academy of Fine Arts operates under a seven-member board of trustees and a 21-member executive committee. Though it is not directly governed by the state, it notably receives funding for renovation and other projects from various government departments and political entities.
Established in 1933 by Lady Ranu Mukherjee, the Academy initially resided in a room borrowed from the Indian Museum, later moving to its current location on Cathedral Road, adjacent to the Rabindra Sadan premises. The Academy features galleries that comprise an impressive 6,300 square feet and includes an auditorium, a conference center, and a remarkable collection of artworks by legends such as Rabindranath Tagore, Abanindranath Tagore, Nandalal Bose, Jamini Roy, Gaganendranath Tagore, and Ramkinkar Baij.
