SAR’s Academic Freedom Monitoring Project investigates and reports attacks on higher education with the aim of raising awareness, generating advocacy, and increasing protection for scholars, students, and academic communities. Starting July 1, 2026, SAR no longer publishes reports for the incidents that it records. SAR continues to monitor and record incidents that will be used in the annual Free to Think report. This page provides a record of incidents reported up to that date. Learn more about the Academic Freedom Monitoring Project.

Date of Incident: May 24, 2025

Attack Types: Killings, Violence, Disappearances

Institution(s):Delhi University

Region & Country:Southern Asia | India

New or Ongoing:New Incident

On May 24, 2025, members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) reportedly clashed with members of several other student groups who had gathered for a pro-Palestine demonstration at Delhi University.

The protest, organized by the Fraternity Movement, Bhagat Singh Chhatra Ekta Manch, and the All India Students Association, was intended to express solidarity with Palestinians experiencing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. During the demonstration, students reportedly burned effigies of U.S. President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the university’s gates.

According to reports, the groups encountered one another in front of the Faculty of Arts building, where verbal altercations escalated into pushing and shoving. Each group accused the other of instigating the confrontation, although. Media reports alleged that ABVP members had gathered in advance to confront the demonstrators.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about violent attacks by students against other students. Scholars at Risk calls on all parties to exercise restraint and to avoid violence. State authorities have the right and obligation to maintain order, which they must with due regard for the rights of protesters and others, including the rights to free expression, academic freedom, peaceful assembly, and due process.

Sources:
https://bestcolleges.indiatoday.in/news-detail/clashes-erupt-at-delhi-university-during-pro-palestine-protest-march-3628
https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/India/tensions-erupt-at-delhi-university-after-pro-palestine-march/ar-AA1Fqp2r

Note: This report was drafted in part using artificial intelligence (AI) tools, with SAR staff reviewing and as necessary adjusting the content prior to publication.