Zoya Hasan lecture cancelled at Sardar Patel Vidyalaya over cited security concern

Political scientist and former JNU professor Zoya Hasan’s scheduled lecture at Sardar Patel Vidyalaya was called off on Friday morning, with the school citing security concerns, Hasan said.

Hasan had been invited on July 28 to speak on “Why Pluralism Matters” as part of the school’s Independence Day preparations. She said a school security official told her that the event had been cancelled because there was a threat to her safety. Students involved in organising the programme were informed about an hour before it was due to begin that the chief guest would not attend.

Teachers who requested anonymity said the administration referred to VHP members gathering outside the school and concerns that students’ safety could be affected if the situation escalated. Delhi Police disputed that account, saying it received no call or information from the school, had no request to provide security, and found no protest or gathering outside.

VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal denied that the organisation had protested, while criticising the invitation. The school principal did not issue a public response. The cancellation leaves conflicting accounts of the security concern that prompted the school to stop the event.