Meerut, May 16, 2025 : A seminar at MIT Engineering College in Meerut turned into a site of protest and controversy on Thursday, after the college invited Aynur Khatun, a Turkish national, as the chief guest for the academic event.
The presence of the Turkish dignitary sparked sharp opposition from members of the Rashtriya Kisan Manch, who staged a protest at the college premises, accusing Turkey of being sympathetic towards Pakistan and anti-India in its global stance.
Raising slogans against both the college and the guest, protesters called for a complete boycott of the event. The group claimed that allowing a representative from a country perceived to support Pakistan on global platforms was an insult to national sentiment.
The protest caused significant disruption, forcing the seminar to pause. In response to the backlash, college authorities issued a written apology, acknowledging the sentiments of the local community and expressing regret over any hurt caused.
College officials clarified that the invitation extended to Aynur Khatun was in the context of academic and cultural exchange, with no political motive. However, they assured the public that greater caution would be exercised in future collaborations and guest invitations.
This incident underscores the increasing scrutiny of foreign involvement in Indian academic events, especially from nations whose geopolitical stances are viewed as controversial by local groups.
The seminar eventually resumed in a subdued manner, but the protest has reignited conversations around national interest and academic freedom, and how educational institutions navigate the sensitive terrain of international diplomacy within the campus space.
Stay with us for more updates on this developing story.
