On October 24, 2024, Jawaharlal Nehru University’s (JNU) Centre for West Asian Studies at the School of International Studies (SIS) canceled three seminars with the Iranian, Palestinian, and Lebanese Ambassadors out of concerns that the talks would spark protest. Days later, on October 30, 2024, the university administration fired Sima Baidya, the seminar coordinator.
At 8:09 AM on October 24, seminar coordinator Sima Baidya emailed students to inform them that all three seminars had been canceled. The email was sent three hours before the first speaker, Iranian Ambassador Dr Iraj Elahi was scheduled to deliver his seminar at JNU.
According to university sources, the seminars were canceled after senior faculty members at SIS raised concerns that polarizing talks could spark student protest. When reached for comment, Sameena Hameed, Chairperson of the Centre for West Asian Studies, said the seminar with the Iranian Ambassador had been postponed, while the other two seminars were not “officially scheduled” by the Centre. She also added that there may have been miscommunication in arranging the events.
On October 30, 2024, Chairperson Hameed removed seminar coordinator Baidya from her position and directed Dr. Vrushal T. Ghoble to take up the position “with immediate effect.” According to an anonymous senior faculty member, the announcement was not shared with other faculty members, even though the seminar coordinator is a rotating position typically shared with all faculty members.
Scholars at Risk is concerned about the late cancellation of previously approved on-campus, academic events. Higher education leaders should respect academic freedom by refraining from restrictions on academic activity. Attempts to limit academic discussion and exchange undermine academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and democratic society generally. Scholars at Risk is also concerned about the removal of a faculty member from her position without following proper due process. University authorities have an obligation to refrain from retaliatory actions intended to punish, restrict, or chill the exercise of academic freedom and should employ transparent, fair processes when engaging in disciplinary actions.
Sources:
https://indianexpress.com/article/education/jnu-conflict-university-cancels-seminars-by-palestine-lebanon-and-iran-envoys-9637465/?ref=hometop_hp
https://thewire.in/education/could-provoke-protests-jnu-cancels-seminars-by-iranian-palestinian-lebanese-ambassadors
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jnu-replaces-seminar-coordinator-after-cancelling-event-featuring-iranian-ambassador/article68815900.ece