Islamonweb

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration stirred controversy by canceling an event featuring United States Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, after facing vehement protests from students. The cancellation came in response to student objections over the US's involvement in the Gaza conflict, branding it as genocide. The scheduled talk on US-India relations, organized by the School of International Studies, faced opposition from the JNU Students Union (JNUSU), who rallied against what they perceived as complicity with US imperialism and support for Israel's actions in Palestine.
JNUSU's forceful stance against hosting representatives of nations implicated in alleged acts of terrorism and genocide, particularly Israel, resonated strongly within the student community. Their social media campaign and organized protests highlighted their solidarity with the Palestinian cause and condemnation of US foreign policy perceived as supportive of Israeli actions. The cancellation underscored JNU's commitment to principles of justice, human rights, and solidarity, as articulated by JNUSU, which viewed the invitation to Ambassador Garcetti as contrary to these values.
The cancellation at JNU occurred amidst a global wave of university protests against Israel's actions in Palestine, with students from various countries demanding divestment and expressing solidarity with Palestinians. In the United States alone, over a thousand students have been arrested for advocating for their universities to sever financial ties with Israel. Despite crackdowns by university administrations, Indian campuses have also seen pro-Palestinian demonstrations, with instances of disciplinary action against students expressing solidarity with Palestine.

Last week, the University of Hyderabad fined six students for organizing a Palestine solidarity march within the campus premises the previous year. This incident reflects a broader trend of universities worldwide becoming arenas for activism and advocacy on the issue of Palestine, as students continue to mobilize against what they perceive as injustices perpetuated by the Israeli government, often met with resistance and disciplinary measures from institutional authorities.
Similiarly few day ago, the German Representative to the Palestinian Authority, Oliver Owcza, faced disruption during his visit to Birzeit University near Ramallah in the West Bank. Palestinian students heckled him and attacked his vehicle, expressing anger over Germany's support for Israel in the conflict with Hamas. Social media clips depicted protesters surrounding Owcza's car, throwing objects, kicking it, and breaking off a side mirror. Prior to the incident, Palestinian students had called for a protest against the German representative's presence due to Germany's support for Israel. Diplomats attending an EU meeting were also targeted, with their vehicles attacked by stones, though no serious threats were reported. Owcza downplayed the incident, emphasizing the importance of peaceful protest and dialogue, expressing regret over the disruption of the EU meeting at Birzeit University.