Several student organisations have condemned the ABVP, demanding that the university take strong action against them.
NEW DELHI — In a blatant act of Islamophobia, the students belonging to Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), a Hindu right-wing student organisation, reportedly burned a Palestinian flag and chanted slogans in support of Israel during the counting of votes for the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) elections on Saturday.
The incident has sparked significant controversy and condemnation from various student groups and observers. Several student organisations have condemned the ABVP, demanding that the university take strong action against them.
According to reports from Maktoob Media, ABVP members gathered near the counting venue and set a Palestinian flag ablaze while shouting pro-Israel slogans. This act was perceived by many as a provocative political statement, especially given the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the broader geopolitical tensions surrounding the Israel-Palestine issue.
Several student organisations at JNU condemned the flag-burning incident. These groups labeled the ABVP’s actions as inflammatory and accused them of supporting what they termed as “genocide supporters,” referencing the Israeli government’s military actions in Gaza. The incident has intensified existing ideological divisions on campus, with left-leaning student bodies expressing solidarity with the Palestinian cause and criticising the ABVP’s stance.
The Fraternity Movement in a statement called the burning of the Palestinian flag supporting Israel’s military operation that has so far killed over 50,000 Palestinians, a majority being women and children.
“This act reflects their allegiance to a genocidal regime responsible for the massacre of thousands of Palestinians. Through this Islamophobic and hateful act, ABVP is attempting to incite violence and communal tension on campus. Such actions are a direct attack on the peace, harmony, and inclusive spirit of the university community,” said Fraternity Movement.
The All India Students Association (AISA), called ABVP’s action “a glorification of genocide.”
“Such behaviour is not only morally repugnant but also a blatant incitement to hatred and violence. The deliberate desecration of a national symbol and the glorification of genocide are indefensible acts that violate the principles of humanity and dignity. This display of bigotry and aggression has no place in a democratic society,” read a statement by AISA.
Muslim Students Federation (MSF) issued a statement saying burning the flag of a people struggling against oppression does not make you stronger, it only reveals the emptiness of your politics.
MSF-JNU stands unwaveringly against Islamophobia, xenophobia, and all forms of bigotry,” the statement reads.
It remains to be seen how the university administration and broader student community will address and respond to this event in the coming days.
