Three seminars scheduled to include speeches by the ambassadors of Iran, Palestine, and Lebanon to India were called off by Jawaharlal Nehru University.
The Centre for West Asian Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University had to cancel three seminars discussing the current West Asia conflict due to “unforeseen circumstances”.
The scheduled seminars were intended to include speeches from the ambassadors of Iran, Palestine, and Lebanon to India.
Shortly preceding his anticipated speech on “Iran’s Perspectives on Recent West Asia Events,” Dr. Iraj Elahi, the Iranian envoy to India, students were notified via email by seminar organizer Sima Baidya at 8:09 am that the event had been called off.
According to a report by the Indian Express, a seminar scheduled for November 7 featuring Palestinian Ambassador Adnan Abu Al-Haija discussing Palestine and a session on November 14 with Lebanese Ambassador Dr. Rabie Narsh focusing on Lebanon have both been canceled.
The report cited sources when mentioning that the university decided to cancel the events without providing a detailed explanation. The decision was reportedly influenced by concerns raised by insiders about possible protests.
Faculty from the School of International Studies (SIS), where the Centre is located, reportedly expressed concerns regarding the campus’s potential responses to discussions on sensitive topics.
Reportedly, the aim of these seminars is to delve into the viewpoints of nations in West Asia given the present geopolitical landscape. Yet, there were apprehensions regarding the potential reactions from the campus, as per a source cited in the report.
Dean Amitabh Mattoo of the School of International Studies (SIS) has sent a message to the faculty, advising them to seek his approval prior to extending invitations to diplomats for public events, emphasizing the sensitivity of the current global situation.
It was emphasized by him the importance of maintaining the School’s long-standing commitment to academic freedom, all the while being vigilant against any potential misuse of external platforms.
Chairing the Centre for West Asian Studies, Sameena Hameed further explained that the seminar featuring the Iranian Ambassador was postponed because of its impromptu scheduling, which did not allow for the proper protocols to be followed in time.
Hameed further stated that the Centre had yet to officially plan the remaining two seminars. He emphasized that the Ambassadors have a strong tradition of interacting with the university which will persist.
