Haryana Varsity Lands in Trouble for 'Anti-Hindu' Remarks, 'Glorifying Hamas' During Lecture on Israel

During a recent lecture at OP Jindal Global University by professor Achin Vanaik, he was seen showing solidarity with Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Several users took to the microblogging site X stating that the lecture titled History and Politics of the Palestinian present had several anti-semitic and anti-Hindu comments were made during the lecture. The professor also allegedly attacked the Modi government over India’s stand on the conflict.

According to media reports, while referring to Israel’s operation against Hamas in Gaza, the professor gave the example of the Pulwama terror attack during the lecture, stating that it is called terrorism, while some other similar attacks are not called so. The retired professor of International Relations and former Head of the Department of Political Science at the University of Delhi is allegedly now an activist.

The lecture on the Israel-Palestine conflict organised at the university triggered a controversy with some BJP leaders sharing video clips of it to allege that the event was held in support of the Hamas.

A spokesperson of the O P Jindal Global University rubbished the allegation. He said, “The videos have been taken out of context.”

Sharing video clips of the lecture on ‘X’, Mumbai BJP spokesperson Suresh Nakhua said, “An event in support of Hamas, a terrorist organisation, was organised in O P Jindal Global University.”

“During this event, concerns were raised regarding the potential targeting of Hindu Culture, Hinduism, Hindutva, RSS, BJP & Indian Army which reportedly caused discomfort among some students and Faculties,” he said.

“The academic sphere, which is intended to serve as a secure environment, is sometimes utilised to promote cultural Marxist ideologies and anti Hindu narratives with the aim of destabilising Bharat and negatively influencing the youth,” Nakhua added.

Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) national vice president Abhivav Prakash also posted to X saying it is a “shameful event” and the university was “glorifying Hamas and suicide attacks while slandering Hindus and India.”

— with PTI inputs