– Abdul Bari Masoud
New Delhi: In a bold and deeply moving show of solidarity, students of Jawaharlal Nehru University gathered in large numbers on Saturday evening for a powerful public meeting organized by the Progressive Democratic Students Union (PDSU) in support of the Palestinian struggle. Held at the iconic Sabarmati T-point, the gathering drew nearly 300 students, resonating with fiery speeches, lived experiences, and a resounding call to action.
The meeting, titled “In Solidarity with Palestine: Against Genocide and Occupation”, was opened by Com. Manmohan, General Secretary of the PDSU JNU Unit, who set the tone by inviting prominent academic and political thinker Prof. Nivedita Menon to address the gathering.
Speaking with clarity and compassion, Prof. Menon recalled her interactions with Palestinian academics and youth during a visit to the West Bank. “The real question,” she said, “is not whether we speak for Palestine — it is whether we are ready to listen.” She described Gaza not merely as a site of suffering, but as a symbol of defiant human spirit, resilience, and relentless resistance. “Even under the rubble and siege, Gaza refuses to be silenced.”
Echoing the urgency of solidarity, Com. Sourav, President of the PDSU JNU Unit, reminded the students that universities must not become ivory towers. “Learning is not just about degrees,” he said. “It’s about standing with the oppressed, using our knowledge to give voice to those whose cries are buried under bombs and borders.”
The meeting also featured a stirring address by Prof. Vipin Tripathi, a veteran peace activist and renowned academic who has worked in premier institutions including IIT Delhi. Praising the spirit of JNU students, he warned of a growing global trend: “Governments are increasingly turning against their own people. If we remove the spectacles of religion and race, we’ll see — whether it’s India or Palestine — it’s the same fight of the common people against power.”
Prof. Tripathi urged students to take forward JNU’s legacy of democratic activism. “You must become the torchbearers,” he said. “The world is watching. When others stay silent, JNU must roar.”
In his address, Dr. Vikas Bajpai, convenor of Janhatshep, said that Gaza has become a test case for the entire humanity. He also slammed the Indian government’s attitude towards the ongoing Israeli aggression and genocidal war in Gaza. He called upon all peace-loving people to rise against the imperialist design.
The event concluded with a collective pledge by the students to intensify their campaign in solidarity with Palestine and to continue raising awareness on campus and beyond. The meeting was closed with a vote of thanks by Com. Manmohan, with solidarity slogans echoing across the night air.
As bombs fall in Gaza and the world’s conscience teeters, the students of JNU are choosing to stand — not with silence, but with struggle.
