JNU Cancels Seminars Featuring Middle Eastern Diplomats Amid Campus Sensitivities

JNU’s Centre for West Asian Studies canceled seminars featuring diplomats from Iran, Palestine, and Lebanon, citing concerns about campus sensitivities amid current Middle Eastern conflicts. University sources indicated potential protests as a reason, while administrators stressed balancing academic freedom with caution on sensitive geopolitical discussions.

Jawaharlal Nehru University’s Centre for West Asian Studies recently cancelled three seminars involving diplomats from Iran, Palestine, and Lebanon, sparking curiosity and speculation. The events, scheduled for October and November, were intended to feature the Iranian, Palestinian, and Lebanese ambassadors to India discussing current West Asian conflicts. The university cited "unavoidable circumstances" for the cancellations, with insiders hinting at concerns over potential protests on sensitive geopolitical issues.

The Iranian ambassador, Dr. Iraj Elahi, was set to speak first, but hours before the event, students received an email from the seminar coordinator announcing its cancellation. Seminars featuring Palestinian Ambassador Adnan Abu Al-Haija on November 7 and Lebanese Ambassador Dr. Rabie Narsh on November 14 were also called off without detailed explanations.

Sources suggest that university authorities feared these sessions might provoke a polarized reaction on campus. A report from faculty within JNU’s School of International Studies (SIS), which oversees the Centre, revealed concerns about managing potential backlash due to the nature of the topics.

SIS Dean Amitabh Mattoo reminded faculty members to consult with him when organizing public discussions involving diplomats, emphasizing the importance of academic freedom balanced with the need to navigate sensitive international issues cautiously.

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Centre Chairperson Sameena Hameed clarified that the seminar with Dr. Elahi was canceled due to time constraints in finalizing protocols and noted that the other sessions were not formally scheduled. She reassured students and faculty that the Centre remains committed to hosting discussions with West Asian diplomats, as these engagements have been a valuable tradition at the university.