Archive · 6 Aug 2025
St Xavier's Cancels Lecture After ABVP Protest in Mumbai
Imagine a college planned a special talk about people moving to find work.
But, some students didn't want the talk to happen.
They said the speaker was connected to someone accused of a crime.
Because of their protest, the college decided to cancel the talk.
The college said they cancelled because of unexpected problems.
So, the talk about people seeking jobs and a better life will not happen at the college anymore.
St Xavier's College canceled the Stan Swamy Memorial Lecture.
The lecture was to be delivered by Fr Prem Xalxo.
The topic of the lecture was "Migration for Livelihood: Hope amidst miseries."
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Sangh (ABVP) protested the lecture.
ABVP cited Stan Swamy's alleged links to the CPI (Maoist) and the Bhima Koregaon case.
- Who
- St Xavier's College, ABVP, and Fr Prem Xalxo.
- What
- St Xavier's College canceled the Stan Swamy Memorial Lecture.
- When
- The cancellation was announced following a protest.
- Where
- St Xavier's College, Mumbai.
- Why
- Due to protests from ABVP, citing concerns over the speaker's connections.
Academic Freedom Advocates
ABVP Supporters
Freedom of Speech
Academic Freedom Advocates
The lecture cancellation could be seen as limiting academic freedom and the right to free speech.
ABVP Supporters
The lecture's cancellation was a necessary response to avoid associating the institution with someone accused of serious crimes.
- Event
- Stan Swamy Memorial Lecture cancellation
- Location
- St Xavier's College, Mumbai
- Organizer
- College's department of inter-religious studies
- Protesting Group
- Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Sangh (ABVP)
- Reason for protest
- Concerns over the speaker's alleged links.