Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) cancelled the use of an auditorium for a book discussion on Umar Khalid’s “Fractured Communities: Adivasi Histories and the Politics of Power.” The event was scheduled for August 10. JNU cited “non-disclosure” of discussion points for the cancellation.
Auditorium Booking Revoked
The School of Social Sciences (SSS)-1 auditorium was booked for the event. The discussion was set to run from 3 pm to 6 pm. JNU announced the cancellation via X, formerly Twitter. The university stated the Dean of SSS also approved the cancellation. The university claimed the full facts of the program were not disclosed.
The SSS-1 auditorium booking is canceled. This is due to non-disclosure of the full facts about the program, JNU posted. The university called itself a democratic and decentralized institution. It added the Dean of SSS granted permission and then took action to cancel the event.
JNUSU Organizes Alternate Venue
The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) called for an alternate venue. JNUSU stated that cancelling a room does not stop a conversation. The union believes administrative orders cannot suppress student rights to think and discuss.
JNUSU urged students, staff, and faculty to attend. The alternate venue is located outside the SSS-II building. The union encouraged a large turnout to defend rights to know, read, and discuss.
Event Details and Participants
The event marked the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. Umar Khalid’s book was published in June. Khalid has been in jail for nearly six years on UAPA charges. His PhD thesis formed the basis of the book.
Scheduled speakers included professors Prabhu Mahapatra and Uma Chakravarti. Social activists Harsh Mander and Banojyotsna were also listed. Shuddhabrata Sengupta was also slated to participate.
