‘Dissent can’t be crushed’: Zoya after Delhi school cancels address
JNU professor’s Independence Day speech called off after protests
New Delhi : Jawaharlal Nehru University professor Emerita Zoya Hasan’s scheduled address at Sardar Patel Vidyalaya’s Independence Day programme was cancelled following a protest outside the school by Hindutva goons.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Hasan had been invited as chief guest to hoist the national flag and speak on ‘Why pluralism matters’ at the school’s Lodi Estate campus. She said she received a formal invitation on August 14 and that arrangements were confirmed until 8:30 am Friday, when the school manager informed her the event was cancelled citing a security threat.
Around 10 to 15 Vishwa Hindu Parishad members had gathered outside the school in the morning, after which a larger police contingent was deployed. The school confirmed Hasan’s participation was called off due to security concerns, but did not specify whether the decision was taken on police direction or by the school.
Delhi Police said the school had informed it of a threat and denied forcing the cancellation, stating personnel were deployed only for protection. Gujarat Education Society president and school alumna Shveta Kalyanwala replaced Hasan, and the programme went ahead in the auditorium. Speaking to the media, Hasan said there had been no disagreement over her topic.
“I think dissent is important, diversity is important,” she said, adding that opposition to dissenting views should be expressed through competing views rather than by seeking to crush them. “Too bad for them,” she said when asked about reports that the objection was linked to her ideological positioning.
Academics Jayati Ghosh and Apoorvanand criticised the cancellation on social media, saying protesters should have been restrained instead of preventing Hasan from addressing students. The VHP did not respond to requests for comment.
