The Kuki Students’ Organisation, Delhi & NCR (KSOD & NCR) has strongly condemned the exclusion of Dr. Seilen Haokip from the Delhi University (DU) Literature Festival 2025. The student body alleges that the scholar’s removal from a key panel discussion was politically motivated and orchestrated under pressure from certain groups, reinforcing academic censorship and the suppression of Kuki voices.
Exclusion of Dr. Seilen Haokip Sparks Outrage
Dr. Seilen Haokip, a prominent scholar, was scheduled to participate in a panel discussion titled “The Great Game East: The Northeast Cauldron” at the DU Literature Festival 2025. However, the KSOD & NCR claims that he was removed from the panel following pressure from Meitei groups, who allegedly spread fabricated allegations against him.
The KSOD & NCR has condemned this decision, calling it an attack on academic freedom and an attempt to silence voices from the Kuki community.
DU Accused of Bowing to External Pressure
The Kuki Students’ Organisation expressed disappointment in Delhi University’s decision, stating: “Delhi University, as an institution of global repute, is expected to be a sanctuary of free speech, open discourse, and intellectual inquiry. Instead, it has bowed to external pressures and compromised its own credibility by preventing a key stakeholder from speaking on an issue that directly affects his people.”
By excluding Dr. Haokip, DU has been accused of endorsing discrimination and failing to provide an inclusive platform for minority voices. The KSOD & NCR stated that this is not an isolated incident but part of a larger pattern of systemic exclusion that the Kuki community has faced for generations.
Kuki Voices Systematically Marginalized
According to the KSOD & NCR, the exclusion of Dr. Haokip reflects the continued marginalization of the Kuki people, whose contributions and struggles have been deliberately erased from national discourse.
The organisation pointed out that, despite their sacrifices in defending the nation and their historic role in resisting colonial oppression, the Kuki community is often denied platforms that should amplify their voices.
The student body emphasized: “For Kuki students, this event is deeply disheartening. We came to this university with the belief that it upholds democratic values and the right to express differing perspectives. But DU’s actions have made it clear that certain voices—especially those from marginalised communities—are unwelcome.”
Call for Accountability and Action
In response to the exclusion of Dr. Seilen Haokip, the Kuki Students’ Organisation has made the following demands:
- An immediate explanation from the organisers of the DU Literature Festival 2025.
- Accountability from Delhi University for allowing external political influence to dictate academic discussions.
- A call to intellectuals, civil society organisations, and students to stand against discriminatory actions in academic spaces.
The KSOD & NCR stated: “Literature and academia must not be used as tools for marginalisation; they must remain platforms where all voices, especially those of the oppressed and marginalised, are given their due space.”
Delhi University Criticized for Failing Its Ideals
The KSOD & NCR further criticized Delhi University for failing to uphold its commitment to academic freedom and inclusivity. The students’ body emphasized that: “A literature festival that censors and excludes voices under political pressure is no longer a platform for knowledge-sharing but a tool for reinforcing majoritarian narratives.”
They urged DU to reconsider its decision and ensure that scholars from all communities, including the Kuki community, are given a fair opportunity to participate in intellectual discussions.
A Stand Against Academic Censorship
The exclusion of Dr. Seilen Haokip from the Delhi University Literature Festival 2025 has sparked outrage within the Kuki community and raised concerns about academic censorship in India. The Kuki Students’ Organisation, Delhi & NCR (KSOD & NCR) has called for accountability, transparency, and inclusivity in academic and literary platforms.
As debates over representation, academic freedom, and minority voices continue, this incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by marginalized communities in gaining equal recognition in national discourse.
 condemns the exclusion of Dr. Seilen Haokip from the Delhi University Literature Festival 2025, calling it an act of academic censorship and marginalization of Kuki voices.){kind=link}