Protesting students held aloft lit candles, symbolising hope and sorrow, alongside portraits of Iran’s slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei
NEW DELHI – On Sunday, a powerful display of student activism unfolded at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) as hundreds of students organised a poignant candle march and a public talk. The event served as a resolute expression of solidarity with civilians impacted by ongoing conflicts in West Asia, coupled with an urgent call for peace, justice, and an immediate end to hostilities.
Embodying JNU’s historical commitment to international solidarity and anti-imperialist movements, the students vociferously protested what they termed the “genocidal war” gripping the region. The demonstration highlighted the severe human cost of the conflicts, particularly drawing attention to the devastating situation in Palestine and Iran. Reports cited within the protest indicated that Israeli forces had claimed the lives of at least 72,123 Palestinians since October 2023. Concurrently, the students condemned US-Israel airstrikes on Iran, which they stated had resulted in the deaths of at least 1,332 people since February 28, a toll that tragically included 165 girls and staff members from Minab School.
The candle march commenced from Ganga Dhaba, with participants solemnly making their way towards Sabarmati Dhaba. The procession was a vivid tableau of defiance and remembrance, as students held aloft lit candles, symbolising hope and sorrow, alongside portraits of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Numerous placards were displayed, unequivocally conveying support for Gaza and demanding accountability from international leadership. Among the most prominent demands was the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The students also condemned US President Donald Trump, holding him accountable for his perceived role in perpetuating the “genocidal war” in both Palestine and Iran.
The air resonated with powerful anti-imperialist slogans, including chants of “Down, down, America; down, down, Israel,” as students rallied in unwavering solidarity with the oppressed populations, declaring “Long live Gaza; keep fighting, Iran.”
Following the emotionally charged march, a public talk was convened at Sabarmati Dhaba, drawing a large and engaged audience. Distinguished speakers, including Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Member of Parliament from Srinagar, and Mohmad Haneef Jan, Member of Parliament from Ladakh, addressed the gathering. Both leaders delivered impassioned condemnations of the US-Israel actions against Iran and Palestine. They underscored the urgent need for international intervention and reiterated their strong solidarity with the people suffering under these conflicts, echoing the students’ calls for peace and justice in the region.
