JNU cancels seminars featuring Palestinian, Lebanese, Iranian envoys
New Delhi: Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has cancelled three seminars, originally scheduled to be addressed by the ambassadors of Iran, Palestine, and Lebanon, on ongoing West Asian conflicts. University sources cited "unavoidable circumstances" for the cancellation, but declined to provide further details.
The seminars, part of JNU's Centre for West Asian Studies series, were to include separate addresses by Iranian Ambassador Dr. Iraj Elahi, Palestinian Ambassador Adnan Abu Al-Haija, and Lebanese Ambassador Dr. Rabie Narsh. An email from seminar coordinator Sima Baidya informed students of the cancellations hours before the first seminar with Dr. Elahi was set to begin.
According to sources at the Iranian and Lebanese embassies, the decision came from the university, and they were unaware of specific reasons. The Palestinian Embassy did not respond to inquiries.
University insiders suggested that concerns over potential campus protests on these sensitive topics influenced the cancellations. Senior faculty members at JNU’s School of International Studies (SIS) reportedly voiced apprehensions regarding the events’ impact amid the current geopolitical climate. Dean Amitabh Mattoo reinforced the need for diplomatic protocol and coordination with the university administration before inviting high-level foreign officials to public events.
Chairperson Sameena Hameed of the Centre for West Asian Studies clarified that the Palestinian and Lebanese seminars were not officially scheduled by the Centre. She added that the Iranian event was postponed due to last-minute logistical challenges.
Despite the cancellations, Hameed reassured that JNU remains committed to hosting ambassadors from these regions in the future for academic discussions on pressing global issues.
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BJP central leadership backs Kerala chief Surendran amid Palakkad bypoll loss
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): The national leadership of the BJP on Monday threw its weight behind the Kerala state unit and its chief K Surendran despite a major vote loss in the Palakkad Assembly bypoll, asserting that the party had put up a "good fight" in the recently concluded election.
Rejecting reports that Surendran had expressed a willingness to quit taking moral responsibility for the defeat in Palakkad, considered one of its strongholds in Kerala, the BJP accused the CPI(M)-led LDF and the Congress-led UDF of "spreading rumours."
"Nobody is resigning neither party has sought anybody's resignation. I think this will settle the matter," senior BJP leader and party's in-charge Kerala, Prakash Javadekar, said in a post on 'X'.
Youth Congress state president Rahul Mamkootathil won the Palakkad seat with a margin of over 18,000 votes, even making inroads into BJP stronghold areas, delivering a shock to the saffron party, which had been hoping to win the seat after finishing second in the past few elections.
Adding to the BJP's woes, the Left improved its performance in the seat, narrowing the gap with the party.
"BJP has given a good fight in recently concluded by-elections in Kerala and got a massive mandate in Maharashtra. We will win Palakkad and many more assembly seats in 2026. We are here to make a difference in Kerala politics. People are looking up to BJP," Javadekar said.
The senior leader claimed that more than 15,00,000 voters have become voluntarily members of the BJP, by giving missed call and full information.
"Our membership drive will continue vigorously," Javadekar said.
His statement came amidst reports that the defeat had triggered widespread dissent within the Kerala BJP against Surendran.
Surendran's critics within the party allege that he unilaterally decided to field C Krishnakumar, his preferred candidate, for the Palakkad seat.
Before the candidate's announcement, some senior leaders had publicly advocated for the firebrand party leader Sobha Surendran.
In protest against Krishnakumar's candidature, BJP's popular television face Sandeep G Varier resigned and joined the Congress just ahead of the by-poll, delivering a significant blow to the saffron camp.
In the by-poll, BJP's Krishnakumar secured 39,549 votes (28.63 per cent), while Congress candidate Mamkootathil won with 58,389 votes (42.27 per cent). CPI(M)-backed P Sarin garnered 37,293 votes (27 per cent).
Surendran sought to downplay the setback, stating it is common for the BJP to see reduced votes in Kerala by-elections.
He claimed that many votes for the BJP candidate "Metro Man" E Sreedharan during the 2021 Assembly polls were apolitical, with cross-party support. However, he admitted, "In Palakkad, there was a decrease in the number of votes. We will introspect on it."
