By Ankit Raj
New Delhi: The 105th Foundation Day celebrations of Jamia Millia Islamia university is mired in controversy. Several student organisations have released a joint statement voicing deep concerns regarding certain events planned during the six-day celebration from October 29 to November 3. They argue that these events contradict the university’s secular and inclusive values.
The most contentious issue is a music and dance performance titled “Akhand Bharat,” scheduled for November 1 at the Safdar Hashmi Amphitheatre and organised by the Jamia Music Club.
Speaking to The Wire Hindi, Harpreet Kaur Jas, the convener of the music club under the university’s dean of students’ welfare, said that this year’s theme is centred around “folk”. “We have tried to showcase music and dance from different states so that children can learn about different cultures.”
When asked about the inclusion of the term “Akhand Bharat” in the event’s title, Jas, an associate professor in the Department of Educational Studies, added, “This is a government policy that must be adhered to by the club’s convener and other members. It’s not solely my decision; the inputs of other members are also considered. Moreover, we have both policy and academic considerations to take into account. Our club falls under the dean of students’ welfare, so decisions are made collectively.”
However, the statement from the student organisations indicated that the phrase “Akhand Bharat” is linked to an ideology that is divisive and fundamentally opposed to the core values of Jamia, which include coexistence and mutual respect between communities.
History of the “Akhand Bharat” ideology
The notion of “Akhand Bharat” or “Akhand Hindustan” serves as a fundamental element of the Hindutva ideology. This concept is one of the core tenets of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which perceives India as a undivided Hindu nation encompassing Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet.
This story was originally published in thewire.in. Read the full story here.
