Members of the Hindu right-wing student organisation Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) burned a Palestinian flag and shouted pro-Israel slogans during the counting of student union election votes on Saturday, reported the Maktoob Media.
The saffron-clad students snatched the Palestinian flag from a student before setting it on fire, while also chanting genocidal slogans.
Student organisations such as Fraternity Movement, MSF, and AISA strongly condemned the act, calling for action against the ABVP members.
“This act reflects their support for a genocidal regime responsible for the massacre of thousands of Palestinians. With this Islamophobic and hateful act, ABVP is attempting to stir violence and communal tensions on campus. It is a direct assault on the peace, harmony, and inclusive spirit of our university community,” stated Fraternity Movement.
The group urged the JNU administration to take stringent action to ensure that the campus remains a safe and democratic space for all students.
In a statement, Muslim Students Federation (MSF) said: “We do not seek validation from those who thrive on hatred. Burning the flag of a people struggling against oppression does not make you stronger — it only reveals the hollowness of your politics.”
MSF continued, “In the reckless pursuit of political power, hatred has been weaponized. But it spirals beyond control, threatening everyone, including its creators. MSF-JNU stands steadfastly against Islamophobia, xenophobia, and all forms of bigotry.”
AISA condemned the actions, saying: “We strongly denounce the shameful actions of the ABVP members who burned a Palestinian flag and shouted slogans in support of genocide during today’s election vote counting. Such behavior is not only morally abhorrent but also a direct incitement to hatred and violence. The deliberate desecration of a national symbol and the glorification of genocide are indefensible and violate the principles of humanity and dignity. This kind of bigotry and aggression has no place in a democratic society.”
The left-wing group demanded that the JNU administration immediately take action against the perpetrators, including disciplinary measures, and hold them accountable for their hate speech and incitement.
