The Delhi University Lit Fest finds itself at the center of a free speech storm after canceling a talk by Seilen Haokip, spokesperson of the Kuki National Organisation. While organizers cite controversy, Haokip insists he was unfairly excluded. The move has triggered a debate on academic freedom and political censorship.
BY PC Bureau
A major controversy has erupted at the Delhi University Literary Festival after organizers abruptly canceled a scheduled talk by Seilen Haokip, the spokesperson for the Kuki National Organization (KNO)—a hill-based insurgent group that has been under a Suspension of Operations (SOO) agreement with the Government of India since 2008.
The last-minute cancellation has drawn sharp reactions, particularly from the Kuki-Zo community, who see it as an act of discrimination.
What Happened?
Seilen Haokip was invited to participate as a panelist at the festival by Dr. Swapan Dasgupta via email. He accepted the invitation and traveled to Delhi for the event. However, upon reaching the venue at Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) on the morning of the scheduled talk, he was informed by a festival representative that, due to media backlash—allegedly sparked by the Meitei Heritage Society , a Meitei civil society group—he was requested to step down from the panel.
In a video statement, Haokip expressed disappointment: “I was invited to be a panelist by Dr. Swapan Dasgupta via email, and I gratefully accepted. I traveled to Delhi, and when I reached SRCC this morning, I was informed that, due to media publicity originating from groups like COCOMI, a festival representative asked me not to participate. It is unfortunate, but let me be clear—I did not cancel my participation.”
When the controversy first broke out, Haokip f questioned the logic behind it, stating: “If I can engage in talks with the Government of India, why am I not allowed to speak to the people of India?”
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What’s Kuki National organisation?
Tthe Kuki National Organisation (KNO) is an umbrella group representing various Kuki insurgent factions in Northeast India. Established in 1988, the KNO advocates for the political rights and autonomy of the Kuki people. In 2008, the KNO entered into a Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Government of India, aiming to facilitate peace talks and a political resolution to the Kuki insurgency. As the organization’s spokesperson, Haokip plays a pivotal role in articulating the KNO’s positions and engaging in dialogues with both governmental bodies and the public. He has been actively involved in discussions concerning the ongoing ethnic tensions in Manipur, emphasizing the Kuki community’s perspectives and grievances. In recent statements, Haokip has underscored the KNO’s commitment to peace and coexistence, while also highlighting the community’s aspirations for dignity and a peaceful existence within the Indian Union
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Backlash and Reactions
The cancellation has triggered outrage among Kuki social media users. David Kuki, one of the first to break the news on X (formerly Twitter), criticized the festival’s decision:
“@dulitfest is biased. They invited Dr. Seilen and canceled his talk even after he arrived at the venue. Today, the minority tribal Kuki-Zo community witnessed discrimination on the campus of @UnivofDelhi. This cannot be overlooked.”
@dulitfest is biased. They invited Dr. Seilen and canceled his talk even after the speaker reached the venue. Today, the minority tribal Kuki-Zo have witnessed discrimination in the campus of @UnivofDelhi. This discrimination cannot be overlooked.#DULitFestisBiased@Navinupadhya
— David 𝐊𝐮𝐤𝐢 (@KipsKuki) February 23, 2025
Others saw the move as a blow to free speech, with one user commenting:
“If we truly want peace in Manipur and are open to dialogue with all stakeholders, then why can’t we hear from the Kuki side as well?”
Meitei Heritage Society’s Objections
The cancellation comes amid protests from Meitei organizations, particularly the Meitei Heritage Society, which strongly opposed Haokip’s participation. In a statement, the group accused the festival of legitimizing an insurgent group allegedly involved in Manipur’s ongoing violence.
“Providing a platform to a militant spokesperson disrespects the victims of Manipur’s violence and risks normalizing extremist rhetoric in academic spaces,” the society stated.
Broader Implications
The controversy highlights deepening ethnic tensions between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, particularly as violence in Manipur continues to shape political and social discourse. The cancellation of Haokip’s talk has now become a flashpoint in this larger conflict, raising critical questions about academic freedom, free speech, and representation in national dialogues.
