Archive · 15 Aug 2026
Delhi school cancels JNU professor's 'Pluralism' talk after VHP protests
A school in Delhi, India, planned an event to celebrate Independence Day.
The school invited a university teacher named Professor Zoya Hasan to be the main guest.
She was going to give a talk about 'pluralism', which means accepting and respecting different people and ideas.
Before the event, some members of a group called the Vishva Hindu Parishad gathered outside the school to protest.
Because of this, the school cancelled the event.
People said it was cancelled because of safety worries for the professor and the school.
Police officers came to the school to make sure there was no trouble.
A police officer said the police did not ask the school to cancel the event.
The school has not yet explained its decision.
So the talk about pluralism never happened.
Sardar Patel Vidyalaya in Delhi cancelled an Independence Day event where JNU professor Zoya Hasan was to speak on 'Pluralism' as chief guest.
Members of the Vishva Hindu Parishad allegedly gathered outside the school to protest, according to The Print.
Sources said the cancellation was due to 'security concerns' for the professor and the school.
Delhi Police deployed personnel at the school after receiving a call about the law and order situation there.
An unidentified police officer said the event was not cancelled at the behest of the Delhi Police, and the school has yet to comment.
- Who
- JNU professor Zoya Hasan, Sardar Patel Vidyalaya, members of the Vishva Hindu Parishad, and the Delhi Police.
- What
- An Independence Day event featuring a talk on 'Pluralism' by Professor Zoya Hasan was cancelled.
- When
- Friday; the event was scheduled to begin at 10 am.
- Where
- Sardar Patel Vidyalaya, Delhi.
- Why
- After VHP members allegedly gathered outside the school to protest; sources cited 'security concerns' for the professor and the school.
Event supporters
VHP protesters
Cancellation of the pluralism talk
Event supporters
Supporters of the event would argue the talk on pluralism should have been held as planned, and that cancelling it after protesters gathered outside the school allowed outside pressure to override the academic programme.
VHP protesters
VHP members opposed the event and gathered outside the school to protest; the school subsequently cancelled, citing security concerns for the professor and the school.
- Event
- Independence Day event with a chief guest talk
- Speaker
- Professor Zoya Hasan, professor emerita at Jawaharlal Nehru University
- Talk topic
- Pluralism
- Scheduled start
- 10 am
- Venue
- Sardar Patel Vidyalaya, Delhi
- Protesters
- Members of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (alleged)
- Reported reason for cancellation
- Security concerns for the professor and the school
- Police response
- Personnel deployed; police say they did not cancel the event