Prof. Zoya Hasan
| Photo Credit: File Photo
An Independence Day address on pluralism by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Professor Emerita Zoya Hasan at Sardar Patel Vidyalaya was called off at the last minute on Friday over “security concerns”.According to those aware of the incident, protesters gathered outside the school ahead of the event, where the noted academic was scheduled to speak on ‘Why pluralism is important’, after which police reached the scene. Academics condemned the incident, with some claiming that the protesters were from the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP).Invited as chief guestProfessor Hasan said she had received a formal invitation from the school principal weeks ago to serve as the chief guest at their Independence Day programme.She added that a teacher called her at 8.30 a.m. on Friday, saying she was on her way to pick her up.“Instead, the security head came and informed me that the event had been cancelled because of security concerns,” said Professor Hasan. Sources said the rest of the event was held as planned. When reached for comment, school principal Anuradha Joshi did not respond.The incident comes days after the JNU administration withdrew permission to hold a discussion on a book by former student Umar Khalid.In an X post, economist Jayati Ghosh wrote: “When informal pressure on the school from official sources to cancel the programme failed, they resorted to this extreme last-minute measure.”‘Pressure on school’DU Professor Apoorvanand said, “Delhi Police should have restrained the lumpens of the VHP, but they forced the school to cancel the talk by Prof. Zoya Hasan.”Yamini Aiyar, a parent and former president of the Centre for Policy Research, said, “It is ironic that during an Independence Day programme to celebrate the freedom struggle, our own government curbs the school’s freedoms.”The Delhi police, however, said they were not aware of any gathering or protest at the school.“After receiving information about the purported event, police visited the school. We made several enquiries and found no evidence of any gathering or protest at the site,” said a senior officer. Published - August 15, 2026 01:08 am IST
