Concerns raised as the seminar coordinator replaced without any explanation
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — The prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has come under scrutiny following its decision to cancel a seminar on West Asian affairs and subsequently remove its coordinator, Dr Seema Baidia, without providing an official explanation. The event was expected to feature Dr Iraj Elahi, the Iranian Ambassador to India, as a guest speaker, and its abrupt cancellation has raised concerns about the suppression of dissent in academic settings.
Dissent and intellectual freedom have long been part of JNU’s tradition, but the recent developments have sparked debate within the academic community. The cancellation notice cited “unavoidable reasons,” yet sources indicate the decision was influenced by concerns about the seminar’s sensitive geopolitical implications. The university’s Centre for West Asian Studies (CWAS) released an internal circular on October 30, announcing the replacement of Dr Baidia with junior faculty member Dr Varshal T. Ghoble as coordinator of the weekly seminar series.
A senior faculty member, who spoke anonymously, described the decision as a departure from standard procedures, emphasising that Dr Baidia’s removal seems unwarranted and without clear justification. The university’s failure to issue an official statement has further fuelled concerns about transparency and academic freedom.
The cancelled seminar, titled “How Iran Views Recent Developments in West Asia,” aimed to provide a platform for understanding regional perspectives, with Dr Elahi set to share his insights. Following the seminar’s cancellation, two additional seminars, which would have included the Palestinian and Lebanese ambassadors, were also called off, intensifying the controversy. Reports suggest several faculty members expressed dissatisfaction over both the cancellation and Dr Baidia’s removal, viewing these actions as a potential restriction on academic discourse.
Prof Samina Hameed, CWAS Chairperson, was quoted by The Hindu as saying that the removal of Dr Baidia and the appointment of Dr Ghoble are internal university matters and emphasised that no external controversy should be stirred over the decision. She indicated the university intends to resolve the issue within its internal framework.
The academic community continues to express unease over what some view as a pattern of undermining intellectual discourse at JNU. For many, the recent developments stand as a concerning example of the pressures faced by academic institutions, particularly in navigating discussions on complex geopolitical issues.
