OP Jindal Global University in Haryana has found itself embroiled in another controversy, this time involving Professor Sameena Dalwai. She was the one who expressed support for Hamas and opposed ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans on campus. Now, Dr Dalwai, who is the daughter of Congress leader Hussain Dalwai, has been at the centre of debates following a breach of privacy, and many students demand action against her.
Email exchanges between Dr Sameena and other professors who opposed Professor Vanaik’s lecture have been circulating. In these emails, Dr Sameena suggested attending the talk before forming objections, believing it would provide a broader understanding of politics and a more comprehensive perspective on suffering.
Dr Sameena’s stance against Hindu religious slogans
Dr Sameena maintained that Hamas did not commit atrocities against Israeli civilians and dismissed it as ‘fake news spread by Indian troll armies’. She noted, “India’s response has been sad. Fake news of Hamas atrocity is created by Indian troll armies. We know their power – many of us get trolled regularly for our writing.”
She asserted that her university values diverse opinions, unlike others that have reacted negatively towards their faculty. She expressed hope that this environment would continue. Dr. Sameena also mentioned that while right-wing students and faculty regularly organise their events, she chooses to remain silent in favour of peace, even if she does not necessarily appreciate them.
She concluded by expressing, “Otherwise, I hear chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ on campus, and I observe right-wing students and faculty organising their own events. I am tempted to react, but I choose to stay silent in favour of maintaining peace.”
Dr Sameena breaches the privacy of students
In the wake of these contentious statements, there are circulating videos and screenshots from college group chats showing Dr. Sameena violating the privacy of students.
It has been claimed that during a class session, the professor accessed a student’s dating application, “Bumble,” in front of the entire class. Not only did she open the profile, but she also engaged in a detailed discussion about it.
What OP Jindal Global University student told Organiser?
Following these allegations, an anonymous student from Jindal University, in conversation with Organiser on November 4, gave some insights into the lecture by Prof. Achin Vanaik and Dr Sameena’s behaviour with the students.
The student mentioned that during his lecture, Vanaik justified the Pulwama attacks, arguing that they were a response to the state’s long-standing atrocities. He also criticised the foreign affairs minister, Dr S. Jaishankar, and questioned his credibility.
The student further stated that all the students with ideologies differing from the left were not given the opportunity to speak during the Q&A session.
According to a complaint letter obtained by Organiser, students assert that on September 23, 2023, Professor Sameena violated privacy boundaries by intruding into a student’s personal Bumble account, a dating app, during class time. This breach of privacy extended beyond her own class, affecting multiple students’ accounts within the university.
In response to students capturing images of the incident, she implemented an arbitrary ban on phones in her class and sent an email on September 24, 2023, which further heightened the distress experienced by the students. Organiser is in possession of this mail, which suggests students stick to notebooks and pens or laptops for making notes in her class. If any of them get caught with a phone, disciplinary action will be taken against them.
In their complaint letter, students called out the professor’s inappropriate conduct, which includes body shaming and the use of derogatory language, that has created an atmosphere of intimidation and emotional distress within the classroom. The students believe that such actions constitute sexual harassment under the Rules on Gender Sensitisation Against Sexual Harassment provided by JGU, and they represent serious human rights violations.
Additionally, her use of offensive language, particularly the term ‘CHUTIYA,’ is entirely unacceptable and demonstrates a lack of consideration for the dignity and respect that should be upheld in an educational environment. The repercussions of her behaviour have extended beyond the classroom, resulting in the spread of harmful rumours and ridicule that have had a significant impact on the mental well-being of students.
The students are urging the committee to launch a comprehensive and impartial investigation into these distressing incidents and recommend involving the Human Rights Commission and the Haryana State Commission for Women given the gravity of the situation.
When Organiser inquired about Dr Sameena’s behaviour, the interviewed student revealed that she frequently uses derogatory language towards students. On one occasion, she even verbally abused a female student and told her to stop attending her class, promising to grant her free attendance.
The student went on to mention that Dr. Sameena discriminates against students as soon as they express their ideological views. Additionally, she insists on receiving answers and interpretations of case studies in the manner she desires.
How Pro-Palestine march was allowed on campus?
He also mentioned that the groups behind the pro-Palestine and Hamas march on campus included members from SFI Jindal, Safdar Hashmi Reading Circle, Nazariya Nazreen, and Sangharsh for Democracy. Some professors, including Dr. Sameena and Amrita Sharma, also participated in the protest. The march commenced from the flag-pole area, which is designated as a restricted zone for students. If more than five people gather there, security personnel take action against them.
Hamas support continues in Jindal global law university
2 November 2023 –After Pro Hamas event on 1 November 2023, yesterday candle march in support of Hamas is organised. pic.twitter.com/JRfPLfqgSC
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) November 3, 2023
Other professors call Pakistan an pressed state
Regarding another professor, Amrita Sharma, the student reported that she participated in the campus protest march. During a class, Sharma pointed out Hindu students wearing Kalawa (sacred thread) and rings, commenting, “I can see many conservative students in the class who seem to lack understanding, yet they adorn themselves with these threads and ornaments.” Other students are left feeling restricted.
Sharma also once referred to ‘Bharat Mata’ as a Brahmanical figure and expressed the belief that Pakistan has endured numerous injustices. She argued that Pakistan was initially given inadequate land, and later India imposed many hardships on the country.
The student emphasised that these professors are not the only ones who exhibit discriminatory behaviour and make selective remarks based on students’ ideologies; there are many others like them.
How the controversy erupt?
On November 1, the university hosted a talk titled ‘The History and Politics of the Palestinian Present‘ by Professor Achin Vanaik, a retired professor of International Relations and former Head of the Department of Political Science at the University of Delhi, who is now an activist. Video clips of the lecture revealed that, in the name of showing solidarity with Palestinian civilians in Gaza, he made several antisemitic and anti-Hindu comments and also criticised the Modi government for India’s stance on the conflict.
While the talk was initially centered on the current Israel-Hamas conflict, Professor Achin Vanaik made several anti-Hindu and anti-Sanatana remarks. He claimed that Hindus are inherently Islamophobic, whereas Jews are not. He also pointed out that while Zionism and Hindu Dharma share some similarities, they differ in their relationship with Islam. He stated, “Zionism is not anti-Muslim; it is anti-Palestinian, but it is happy to piggyback on current Islamophobia. Hindu Dharma, on the other hand, is fundamentally and foundationally anti-Muslim.”
Additionally, he argued against the assertion that Hindus are the original inhabitants of India and that Hindu Dharma is one of the oldest civilizations. According to the professor, archaeological and scientific evidence indicates that Vedic civilizations predate the emergence of Vedas by approximately 2000 years. He emphasized the importance of discussing the Saraswati Valley Civilization.
Furthermore, Professor Vanaik expressed praise for suicide bombing, considering it an effective tactic employed by Islamic terrorists. He stated, “Understand one thing about suicide bombing: it expresses above all the determination not just to kill, but the determination to die.”
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