Convenient set-up! After outrage, IIT Bombay cancels lecture of Prof Achin Vanaik but holds another 'anti-semitism' lecture
Expressing solidarity with Palestinian civilians in Gaza, Professor Vanaik made comments that were considered by some to be antisemitic and anti-Hindu while also criticizing the Modi government"s stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
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In a convenient set-up, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has cancelled the proposed lecture by Hamas-sympathiser Prof Achin Vanaik on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
It should be noted, that the Department of Humanities and Social Science's, Prof. Anush Kapadia cancelled ISKCON's Gaurang Prabhu talk on overcoming mental stress, and organized Professor Achin Vanaik’s lecture.
As per the invitation mail, Hinduphobic Professor Vanaik who earlier delivered an 'Anti-Hindu' and Anti - Semitism', had been scheduled to talk on the history of the Israel-Palestine conflict and the consequences of the recent outbreak of violence. The lecture was initially scheduled to be held Monday evening, but IIT authorities said it was being postponed to Tuesday.
However, a group of students from the institute had expressed opposition to the lecture and sent an email to IIT Bombay authorities, requesting the cancellation of Professor Vanaik's talk. Following this, they cancelled the lecture.
UPDATE:
— The Hawk Eye (@thehawkeyex) November 7, 2023
IIT Bombay cancelled prof. Achin Vanaik's lecture due to "unforeseen circumstances".
Thanks to group of IIT-B students who wrote to director against concerning event.
This is power of people and power of social media.🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/M5Z4EHHr5E
However, the here twist comes, apart from Professor Achin, the IIT Bombay had also organised the lecture of another Hinduphobic activist, Sudhanva Deshpande. Though they cancelled the lecture of Professor Achin they continued Sudhanva Deshpande's lecture in which she openly justified the use of armed terrorism of Hamas in the name of 'Palestine Freedom.'
Prof Sharmistha Saha of @iitbombay invited Sudhanva Deshpande where Sudhanva openly justified for the use of armed terrorism of Hamas in the name of 'Palestine Freedom.'
— Ankit Bhuptani 🏳️🌈 (@CitizenAnkit) November 8, 2023
pic.twitter.com/MlekcmEfF7
Vanaik, a retired Delhi University professor of international relations, had been the subject of controversy after delivering a speech on 'History and Politics of Palestinian Present' at OP Jindal University in Haryana on 1 November. It was alleged that he had made anti-Hindu remarks during the speech. Professor Vanaik clarified that video clips of his lecture were taken out of context.
Expressing his disappointment, he stated, "It is a very important issue and a tragedy of our time. It is disturbing that IIT Bombay cancelled the talk in response to students' demands. My views presented in the earlier talk seem to have been distorted."
Expressing solidarity with Palestinian civilians in Gaza, Professor Vanaik made comments that were considered by some to be antisemitic and anti-Hindu while also criticizing the Modi government's stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Calling Hindu dharma foundationally anti-Muslim, he asserted that Zionism is not anti-Muslim; it is anti-Palestinian. Praising suicide bombing, he said, “Understand one thing: it expresses above all the determination not just to kill, but the determination to die.”