Achin Vanaik, noted writer and retired professor of political science at University of Delhi, was due to give a talk on the Israel-Palestine Conflict in the context of the current war at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay on November 14, 2023. However, it was canceled due to student objections alleging a previous talk was antisemitic and anti-Hindu.
https://www.scholarsatrisk.org/report/2023-11-14-indian-institute-of-technology-bombay/
January 31, 2024
Subhasis Chaudhuri
Director and Professor of Electrical Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Main Gate Road, IIT Area
Powai, Mumbai
Maharashtra 400076
India
Phone: (91-22) 2576 7000
E-mail: sc@ee.iitb.ac.in or director@iitb.ac.in
Dear Director Chaudhuri,
The Committee of Concerned Scientists is an independent organization of scientists, physicians, engineers, and scholars devoted to the protection and advancement of human rights and scientific freedom for colleagues all over the world.
We are writing in regard to Achin Vanaik, noted writer and retired professor of political science at the University of Delhi. He was due to give a talk on the Israel-Palestine Conflict in the context of the current war at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay on November 14, 2023. However, it was canceled due to student groups alleging his previous talk, which included a discussion of Islamophobia, at OP Jindal University on November 1, 2023, was antisemitic and anti-Hindu.
The Committee is concerned by the erosion of free speech on IIT’s campus. We urge your administration to offer Professor Achin Vanaik to return to give his lecture, regardless of whether it is politically objectionable. Otherwise, the reputation of the university as a bastion of academic freedom is under threat.
Thank you for your attention to this serious matter. We will be closely following developments in this case.
Sincerely,
Joel L. Lebowitz, Walter Reich, Eugene M. Chudnovsky, Alexander Greer
Co-Chairs, Committee of Concerned Scientists
CC:
Dharmendra Pradhan
Minister of Education
Ministry of Education, Government of India
302-C, Shastri Bhawan,
New Delhi, Delhi 110001
India
Phone: (202) 647-4000
Twitter: @EduMinOfIndia
E-mail: minister.sm@gov.in