Delhi school cancels JNU professor's talk on pluralism at Independence Day event
Jawaharlal Nehru University professor Zoya Hasan's Independence Day address was cancelled. School security informed her of a threat to students and herself. Protesters, identified as Vishwa Hindu Parishad members, gathered at the school. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad denied involvement but welcomed the cancellation. The event was scheduled to discuss the importance of pluralism.
Delhi school officials unexpectedly canceled a lecture by a Jawaharlal Nehru University professor planned to address students on the importance of pluralism during the school's Independence Day event. Professor Zoya Hasan was scheduled to hoist the national flag and speak to students and parents at 10am. Two school security personnel arrived at her home hours before the event, informing her that her address had been canceled due to an alleged threat to her and other students.
Parents of students claimed protesters, believed to be members of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), gathered outside the school in opposition to her address. However, VHP denied involvement in the protest but welcomed the cancellation. Parents described the cancellation as unprecedented. The event proceeded with the president of the school's management body stepping in and distributing awards instead.
Hasan expressed shock upon learning of the cancellation, attributing it to pressure from the administration and police. Delhi Police denied any involvement, stating they had only checked the situation. The Economist, Jayati Ghosh, and the Safdar Hashmi Memorial Trust criticized the decision, questioning the government's willingness to permit discussions on diversity and tolerance.
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