A Stifled Voice: The Kuki Students’ Organisation condemns DU’s exclusion of Dr. Seilen Haokip, calling it a politically motivated act of censorship against Kuki-Zo voices.
BY PC Bureau
The Kuki Students’ Organisation, Delhi & NCR (KSOD & NCR) has strongly condemned the removal of Dr. Seilen Haokip from the Delhi University Literature Festival 2025, calling it a “blatant act of academic censorship” and an attack on free speech.
Dr. Haokip, a spokesperson for the Kuki-Zo community, was scheduled to participate in a panel discussion titled “The Great Game East: The Northeast Cauldron.” However, he was reportedly removed at the last minute due to alleged pressure from Meitei groups. The Kuki student body claims that his exclusion was politically motivated and reflects a broader pattern of suppressing minority voices.
Allegations of Political Pressure
According to KSOD & NCR, Dr. Haokip’s removal was the result of fabricated allegations by Meitei groups seeking to silence perspectives that challenge their narrative. “Delhi University, which should stand as a bastion of free speech, has instead bowed to external pressure and denied a key stakeholder the opportunity to speak,” the organization stated in its press release.
ALSO READ: DU’s Betrayal: The Unjust Silencing of Seilen Haokip
The group further argued that the university’s actions contribute to the marginalization of the Kuki community, whose historical and contemporary struggles are often ignored in mainstream discourse. “This exclusion is not just about one individual—it is part of a systemic pattern where Kuki voices are deliberately erased,” the statement added.
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The @dulitfest organizers blatantly lied about Dr. Seilen Haokip canceling days before the event,
If that were true, how was he physically present at the fest? He was denied stage at the last minute.Shameful coverup to suppress #FreeSpeech ‼️#DelhiUniversityLiteratureFestival pic.twitter.com/bI5Sk1abjI— James_Doungel #(kuki Parivar) (@jamesdoungel_36) February 23, 2025
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Concerns Over Academic Freedom
The incident has sparked concerns over the state of academic freedom in India’s premier institutions. KSOD & NCR pointed out that this is not the first instance of censorship targeting their community, citing similar cases of research suppression in Manipur under the Biren Singh government. They argue that the same tactics are now being applied in the national capital.
ALSO READ: DU Face Kuki Backlash for Dumping Seilen Haokip’s Talk at Lit Fest
“If a university of Delhi University’s stature cannot ensure a fair platform for diverse voices, what message does that send to minority students?” the organization asked. “It tells us that our experiences do not matter and that our voices will continue to be systematically silenced.”
Call for Accountability
KSOD & NCR has urged Delhi University to uphold its commitment to academic freedom and provide an explanation for Dr. Haokip’s exclusion. The group also called on other academic institutions to resist political pressure and ensure that marginalized communities are given equal representation in intellectual discourse.
“A literature festival that censors voices under political pressure is no longer a platform for knowledge-sharing but a tool for reinforcing majoritarian narratives,” the statement concluded.
Despite repeated attempts, Delhi University has not issued an official response to the allegations. Meanwhile, the controversy continues to fuel debates over academic freedom, minority representation, and the politicization of educational institutions in India.
