The Department of Political Science, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Evening College, University of Delhi, organised a symposium on “Urban Naxalism and the Battle for Minds: Safeguarding India’s Academic Spaces” on October 16 2025. The event was convened by Dr. Saurabh Dubey, Teacher-in-Charge of the Department, and drew inspiration from the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Yogesh Singh’s recent address at Vigyan Bhawan, where he had highlighted the dangers of ideological subversion within academia and the need to protect intellectual spaces from distortion.
The event was graced by Prof. Arun Kumar Attree, Principal of the College, and eminent speakers Dr. Ayushi Ketkar and Dr. Sajjan Kumar.
In his address, Prof Arun Kumar Attree emphasised the significance of the symposium in the present national and academic context. He endorsed the concerns raised by the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor and appreciated the Ministry of Home Affairs under Amit Shah for its strong and visionary efforts toward achieving a “Naxal-Mukt Bharat” by 2026. He urged students to understand the ideological dimensions of the issue and to view it through the lens of national responsibility. Referring to the film “Buddha in a Traffic Jam”, he encouraged students to reflect critically on how certain intellectual spaces can become breeding grounds for narratives that distort facts and weaken national resolve.
Dr Sajjan Kumar, noted political analyst, provided a comprehensive understanding of the evolution of Urban Naxalism, tracing its ideological roots and transformation from armed insurgency in rural areas to intellectual activism in urban centres. He explained how rural naxalism operates through violence and coercion, while urban naxalism seeks legitimacy through academia, civil society, and media. Dr. Kumar praised the Government of India’s dual approach under Prime Minister Narendra Modi – combining decisive security action with inclusive development – which has significantly reduced both the territorial spread and ideological appeal of naxalism.
Dr Aayushi Ketkar, academic and security expert, addressed the dichotomy of the so-called “Urban Naxals” — those who claim to work for the poor and the marginalised yet thrive in urban comfort and intellectual elitism. Sharing insights from her own academic journey from the University of Hyderabad to Jawaharlal Nehru University, she reflected on how ideological ecosystems within campuses often suppress alternative viewpoints. She urged students to develop critical thinking rooted in national consciousness and moral integrity.
Dr Saurabh Dubey, Teacher-in-Charge, in his remarks, highlighted that the event was conceptualised to translate the Vice-Chancellor’s vision into meaningful academic dialogue. He emphasised that universities must uphold intellectual freedom while remaining vigilant against ideological infiltration that undermines the spirit of inquiry and national unity.
The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from students and faculty members, followed by an interactive session. The discussion reinforced the collective commitment to preserve universities as spaces of learning, critical debate, and constructive patriotism — in alignment with the nation’s aspiration for a “Naxal-Mukt Bharat.”
