Indian government’s silence on the ongoing Israeli aggression and genocidal war in Gaza condemned
NEW DELHI — In a bold and deeply moving show of solidarity, students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) gathered in large numbers on Saturday evening for a powerful public meeting in support of the Palestinian struggle.
Held at the iconic Sabarmati T-point, the gathering, organised by the Progressive Democratic Students Union (PDSU), drew nearly 300 students, resonating with fiery speeches, lived experiences, and a resounding call to action.
The meeting, titled “In Solidarity with Palestine: Against Genocide and Occupation,” opened with Comrade Manmohan, General Secretary of the PDSU’s JNU Unit, who set the tone by inviting prominent academic and political thinker Prof Nivedita Menon to address the gathering.
Prof Menon recalled her interactions with Palestinian academics and youth during a visit to the West Bank. “The real question,” she said, “is not whether we speak for Palestine — it is whether we are ready to listen.”
She described Gaza not merely as a site of suffering but as a symbol of defiant human spirit, resilience, and relentless resistance. “Even under the rubble and siege, Gaza refuses to be silenced.”
Echoing the urgency of solidarity, Comrade Sourav, President of PDSU’s JNU Unit, reminded students that universities must not become ivory towers. “Learning is not just about degrees,” he said. “It’s about standing with the oppressed, using our knowledge to give voice to those whose cries are buried under bombs and borders.”
The meeting also featured a stirring address by Prof Vipin Tripathi, a veteran peace activist and renowned academic who has taught at premier institutions including IIT Delhi. Praising the spirit of JNU students, he warned of a growing global trend: “Governments are increasingly turning against their own people. If we remove the spectacles of religion and race, we’ll see — whether it’s India or Palestine — it’s the same fight of the common people against power.”
Prof Tripathi urged students to take forward JNU’s legacy of democratic activism. “You must become the torchbearers,” he said. “The world is watching. When others stay silent, JNU must roar.”
Another strong voice came from Dr Vikas Bajpai, convenor of Janhatshep, who declared that Gaza has become “a test case for the entire humanity.” He condemned the Indian government’s silence on the ongoing Israeli aggression and genocidal war in Gaza, calling upon all peace-loving people to rise against what he termed “the imperialist design.”
The meeting concluded with a collective pledge by students to intensify their campaign in solidarity with Palestine and continue raising awareness on campus and beyond. Comrade Manmohan closed the event with a vote of thanks, as slogans of solidarity echoed through the night air.
As bombs rain down on Gaza and the world’s conscience teeters, JNU students have chosen not silence, but struggle.
