New Delhi, August 15: An Independence Day address by Jawaharlal Nehru University professor emerita Zoya Hasan at Sardar Patel Vidyalaya in New Delhi was cancelled shortly before the scheduled programme, following a reported protest outside the school and concerns over security.Hasan had been invited by the school as the chief guest for its Independence Day function.
She was scheduled to hoist the National Flag and address students and parents on the theme “Why pluralism matters.”Hasan said two security personnel from the school visited her residence shortly before she was due to leave for the programme and informed her that her address had been cancelled because of a reported threat to her and a larger group of students.According to parents associated with the school, protesters had gathered near the school’s entrance opposing Hasan’s participation in the event. The parents identified them as members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).
The VHP, however, denied that its members were behind the protest. Its spokesperson, while welcoming the cancellation, criticised the school’s decision to invite Hasan and referred to her alleged remarks concerning Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.The school function proceeded without Hasan, with the president of the Gujarat Education Society, which manages the institution, taking her place during the programme and participating in the distribution of awards.
Some parents expressed concern over the cancellation and questioned why the school had not proceeded with Hasan’s address despite the presence of a relatively small group of protesters.Delhi Police denied having prevented Hasan from speaking. Police officials said they had received information about the situation and visited the school to assess the matter, but had no role in stopping anyone from delivering a speech.
The cancellation drew criticism from sections of the academic and cultural community. Economist Jayati Ghosh questioned the decision to prevent Hasan from speaking on pluralism, while the Safdar Hashmi Memorial Trust also condemned the development.Hasan maintained that the controversy was not limited to the Independence Day programme and suggested that the circumstances surrounding the cancellation were evident.
The incident has triggered a wider debate over freedom of expression, academic participation in public events, security concerns and the role of pluralism in educational spaces.Following the cancellation, a group of students and parents organised a virtual session with Hasan, allowing her to address participants online.The incident remains subject to differing accounts from the school, parents, police and the VHP regarding the circumstances that led to the cancellation.
