New Delhi: Ashoka University’s elected student body has written to the vice-chancellor asking that the university “cut ties with Tel Aviv University in support of Palestinian human rights”. Among the signatories to the letter by the Ashoka University Student Government are 400 students, 34 faculty members and 87 alumni.
“We, the undersigned members of Ashoka University, are deeply concerned about the ongoing genocide in Palestine… Students across universities are now actively calling on their institutions to boycott Israeli universities and exchange programmes, to have open dialogue about the war on Gaza,” read the letter, a copy of which is with ThePrint.
It added that the “spirit and the results of ongoing protests in the universities in the form of encampments — embarked on by the students of Columbia University — are live examples” of this opposition.
According to the letter, Sonipat-based Ashoka University has research partnerships with Tel Aviv University. Students there also apply for summer courses/research programmes at the Tel Aviv University while receiving partner benefits when participating in the programmes, as mentioned on Ashoka University’s website.
The partnership includes a “Visiting Student Programme” as well where four students from Tel Aviv University can spend a semester or an entire year at Ashoka University. Courses like creative writing, economics, environmental studies (field courses), Indian politics, Indian civilisation, media studies, philosophy, psychology and behavioural sciences, sociology and anthropology are offered during this programme, according to the website of Tel Aviv University.
The letter by the Ashoka University Student Government suggests that the Tel Aviv University has close ties with the Israeli military and supports the occupation of Palestinian territories, raising serious ethical questions which undermine its commitment to justice and human rights.
While demanding immediate suspension of all existing academic and research collaboration with Tel Aviv University, the student-run governing body has also requested the management of Ashoka University to “refrain from entering into any new agreements or partnerships with Tel Aviv University until credible measures are taken to address the concerns raised by reputable human rights organisations”.
Further, they have urged the university to consult and involve relevant stakeholders including Palestinian rights advocates, to ensure the “university’s actions adhere to international standards of human rights and justice”.
Two members of the Ashoka University Student Government spoke to ThePrint on the condition of anonymity.
According to them, members of the body met Pro Vice-Chancellor Rama Malik and Vice President, External Engagement, Ali Imran, who acknowledged having received the letter, but said the demands mentioned in it were not under consideration for the time being.
“They said that they would not be taking any decision to formally suspend ties with Tel Aviv University as of right now,” said one member of the student-run governing body.
According to the students, the university did not furnish any explanation for its stand.
They also told ThePrint that though they have not held any formal demonstration to protest Israeli military action in Gaza, they have released a few statements in solidarity with the people of Palestine. A documentary named ‘The Law in These Parts’ was also screened on campus to show support for Palestine, they said.
“We’ve started the petition now because there’s a global BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement going on and students and universities across the world are asking for their universities to divest from any corporations, any firms, any universities that are involved in the genocide. So, in tandem with that, we also wanted to put this out,” said a second member of the Ashoka University Student Government.
ThePrint reached Ashoka University Vice-Chancellor Somak Raychaudhury via call for comment and was directed to Vice President, External Engagement, Ali Imran, who did not respond over email. This report will be updated if and when a response is received.
The developments came against the backdrop of Israel Defense Forces taking control of the Gaza side of Rafah crossing. In a post on X, IDF claimed its actions were part of a “precise counterterrorism operation to eliminate Hamas terrorists and infrastructure within specific areas of eastern Rafah began overnight, based on intelligence”.
Earlier this week, Israel reportedly denied that it had agreed to a ceasefire with Hamas, brokered by Egypt and Qatar.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)
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