From Ex-NewsClick interns to Caravan columnists and staunch anti-Hindu 'liberals,' the list of Indians who have lent their signature in support of Hamas seems to run deep. But among the clamor and the crowds stands out a unique personality who has captured more than just the fleeting attention of the masses.

Enter Chikna Nikhil Dharmaraj, the oh-so-smooth, Indian-origin Harvard scholar. Not just another student strolling through Harvard's historic halls, Nikhil found himself in the limelight for signing that contentious statement which squarely placed the blame for the Hamas Terror attack on Israel's shoulders. If one might think that's where the tale of this curious character ends, they'd be in for a surprise. For Dharmaraj, evidently, has a penchant for penning, having authored an article for The Caravan. Yet, what's truly eyebrow-raising is his association with Harsh Mander's NGO, Karwan-e-Mohabbat—a name that reverberated throughout the #antiCAA protests held at #ShaheenBagh.

But before you start labeling and shelving him away, let's delve a bit deeper. A quick visit to the Canary Mission website sheds light on some rather contentious views held by our man Dharmaraj. The site holds claims of Nikhil justifying acts of violence against Israel and showcasing a favoritism towards Hamas. Now, isn't that a twist in our tale?

Diving further into the depths of Dharmaraj's associations, we find him intricately linked to the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP)—an organization that has been quite vocal in their support for #Hamas, pointing fingers at Israel for the surging violence. Drawing connections and laying out associations, it seems Dharmaraj had been an active member of the Palestine Solidarity Committee (PSC) at Harvard in the years 2020, 2022, and 2023. And if one were curious, PSC stands as an alias for the well-known Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP).

One can't help but notice Dharmaraj's inclination towards the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement. However, it's not all politics and protest for our man. Come April 2023, and Dharmaraj's digital footprints reveal a student deeply immersed in history, literature, and computer science at Harvard. A closer look at his LinkedIn profile throws up interesting tidbits—like his stint as an Admissions Tour Guide Coordinator for Harvard and his role as a mentor, guiding eager first-year Harvardians.

Yet, just when one thought the maze ended, there emerges another intriguing corner. As of April 2023, this 'activist' seems to have donned the hat of a founding member and programming lead for the YX Foundation. Described as a lab merging deep technology with critical race theory, it's quite the change from holding placards to penning codes.

Finally, tracing the roots of this multifaceted individual, we find him nestled in the academic environs of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Yet, his heart and history echo the sunny vibes of the San Francisco Bay Area in California, with LinkedIn pinning him down to Saratoga, California.

As the layers peel and the story unfolds, one can't help but be captivated by the many faces of Nikhil Dharmaraj. Stay tuned as we navigate the nuances of this narrative.

Justifying Violence | In the midst of heightened tensions in May 2021, Dharmaraj amplified a viewpoint on Twitter which centered on the Palestinian struggle. He retweeted a message stating, “palestinians are reminding us that decolonization is not abstract. it is material. it is violent. it is not popular, it will be resisted and debated by the entire structures of the monstrous colonial world. and it is the only way forward, and it is the only path of life.”

This tweet came during Israel’s Operation Guardian of the Walls (OGW) against Hamas. This operation was initiated as a response to the firing of over 4,300 rockets from Gaza towards Israeli population centers, an act carried out by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorists. In retaliation, Israel embarked on targeted military strikes within the Gaza Strip.

Harvard PSC and Harvard Technology Review (HTR) Controversy: In August 2020, under Dharmaraj's organization, a “Racial Justice & Technology Summer Fellowship” was initiated. While the Harvard Palestine Solidarity Committee (PSC) was a co-sponsor, the initial plan also included sponsorship from the Harvard Technology Review (HTR). Tensions arose when Harvard PSC sent a letter to HTR demanding the latter adopt a staunch anti-Zionist position during the course of the fellowship. This stance included "explicitly denouncing Zionism as inhumane and illegitimate."

Zionism, for context, advocates for the right of the Jewish people to self-determine in their ancestral homeland and nurture their national culture.

This demand followed complaints from an HTR board member, who raised concerns over the inclusion of two perceived anti-Israel entities as sponsors and the scheduling of a lecture by Professor Melina Abdullah, known for her anti-Israel views.

Dharmaraj’s position was quoted in the aforementioned letter: “I refused to allow Zionist perspectives to overtake the months of labor I had put into organizing this fellowship.” He elaborated on his views by stating that he perceived no room for "productive or respectable discourse" concerning ideologies he deemed "clearly hateful and racist."

Harvard PSC's Published Statement: In the same month, Harvard PSC published a statement penned by Dharmaraj. In this statement, he critiqued the use of the term ‘Israel-Palestine conflict’ to describe the prolonged territorial and political disputes between Israel and Palestine. According to Dharmaraj, this term masks the "material reality of Israeli occupation" and downplays the intensity of what he perceives as "settler-colonial, apartheid, and genocidal" actions against Palestinians.

Dharmaraj expressed that lending support to ideologies that promote genocide and settler colonialism, including what he interprets as Zionism, contradicts the very essence of human rights.

He emphasized the significance of actions complementing words, especially in matters as serious as anti-Zionism. While the Harvard Technology Review (HTR) board asserted their stance for anti-Zionism, Dharmaraj felt that merely verbalizing the sentiment was insufficient. He insisted on a demonstrative commitment to eradicate such ideologies from all spheres, especially those that he equates to genocidal perspectives.

Drawing a parallel between Zionism and settler-colonialism, Dharmaraj compared HTR’s response to endorsing white supremacy, emphasizing his understanding of Zionism as a colonial venture.

Dharmaraj's Tweet on Zionism and Racial Justice: Post the release of these statements, on August 3, 2020, Dharmaraj took to Twitter to further express his concerns. He warned of what he saw as the subtle ease with which Zionism can permeate spaces dedicated to racial justice. He urged vigilance against allowing such infiltrations, also highlighting a link he perceives between the liberation movements of Black and Palestinian communities.

Engagement with Anti-Israel Organizations: Dharmaraj amplified the sentiments of the anti-Israel organization "Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine" (HOOP) in one of his tweets, and he showed support for their views on the matter of white supremacy being a global issue.

Comments on Israel Trek: Dharmaraj retweeted a derogatory tweet about participants of the Israel Trek, which is an initiative to promote cultural and historical understanding of Israel among non-Jewish Harvard community members.

Use of "Mock Apartheid Wall" Imagery: In March 2023, Dharmaraj showcased an image on his Instagram story of a "mock apartheid wall", a representation of Israel's security barrier. The mock wall was created to express opposition to Israel's policies and featured controversial statements and graphics. This mock wall is typically a staple at "Israeli Apartheid Week" (IAW) events organized by Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapters across North American universities.

The panel Dharmaraj shared had statements connecting Zionism to racism, colonialism, and ethnic cleansing and also promoted the "Boycott, Divest, Sanction" (BDS) movement against Israel.

Post about Ramadan and Al Aqsa: Dharmaraj, in April 2023, shared a post from the Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU) that spoke of Israel's alleged aggression towards Palestinian worshippers at the Al Aqsa mosque during Ramadan. Ramadan is a significant period in the Islamic calendar, observed with fasting and spiritual introspection. However, the period sometimes witnesses increased tensions, anti-Israel sentiments, and unrest in the region.

Event Participation and Moderation: Dharmaraj was actively involved in various events organized by Harvard Palestine Solidarity Committee (PSC). In March 2023, he was listed as a moderator for an event focused on the intersectionality of Palestinian and Queer Liberation, with known anti-Israel professor Randa Jarrar as a speaker.

Keffiyeh Thursday Initiative: Dharmaraj took part in the “keffiyeh Thursday” campaigns initiated by Harvard PSC in early 2023. During one such event in February, he and fellow activists displayed a banner that called for a boycott of the "Israel Trek." The keffiyeh, traditionally a Palestinian headdress, has evolved into a symbol of Palestinian nationalism and resistance.

In April 2022, Dharmaraj was also a panelist at another event by Harvard PSC, titled “Queer-Palestinian Panel.” This event was part of the Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) organized by the committee and included anti-Israel professor Sa’ed Atshan.

In May 2021, during the time of Israel's Operation Guardian of the Walls (OGW), Dharmaraj endorsed an anti-Israel statement penned by student groups from Palestine at Harvard University. The statement, which was co-authored and signed by Harvard PSC, leveled accusations of “ethnic cleansing” and “apartheid” against Israel. Furthermore, the document criticized Israel over a property dispute in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of Jerusalem and its response to rocket attacks from Gaza, which followed violent incidents at the Al-Aqsa Mosque – these events being precursors to the OGW.

On 7th October, a coalition of student unions at Harvard University, known as the Harvard Palestine Solidarity Groups, issued a statement concerning the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. This letter was endorsed by 33 student groups within the university.

The statement termed Israel as an "apartheid regime" and attributed the responsibility of the recent attacks by Hamas solely to Israel. It brought up accusations against Israel including "systematised land seizures," "regular airstrikes," "arbitrary detentions," and "enforced family separations." Notably, the letter did not address any actions or transgressions by Hamas.

The statement's excerpt reads: “The apartheid regime is the only one to blame. Israeli violence has structured every aspect of Palestinian existence for 75 years. From systematized land seizures to routine airstrikes, arbitrary detentions to military checkpoints, and enforced family separations to targeted killings, Palestinians have been forced to live in a state of death, both slow and sudden.”

The coalition concluded their letter with a call to the Harvard community, urging them to "take action to stop the ongoing annihilation of Palestinians.”

The letter received considerable backlash, particularly from many Harvard alumni who criticized the university for not intervening or taking action against the statement. In addition, multiple corporate leaders voiced their disapproval of the letter, with some even declaring their intention to refrain from hiring individuals who voiced support for Hamas, given its acts against Israeli civilians.

Among the thousands who signed the contentious letter were several Indian individuals. A student group, the Harvard Undergraduate Ghungroo, initially lent their support to the pro-Palestine stance before retracting their endorsement. This group is affiliated with Harvard’s South Asian Art (SAA). Information from the SAA website reveals that Arjun Prasad and Farib Mahmud co-preside over the SAA, with Siona Prasad and Nikhil Dharmaraj serving as the organization's cultural chairs.

Furthermore, the SAA board had earlier thrown its weight behind the controversial SB403 Bill, which some labeled as Hinduphobic. They were not alone in this endorsement; Thenmozhi Soundararajan, the Executive Director of Equality Labs, also backed the bill. However, this bill faced scrutiny from California's governor, Gavin Newsom, and was ultimately returned. Newsom believed that existing laws, which already deter discrimination based on aspects like caste, color, and religion, rendered this bill redundant.

Highlighting the board's engagement in diverse issues, a screenshot on the SAA website captures a video conference. This event, which had participation from SAA board members Nikhil Dharmaraj and Siona Prasad, was titled “Caste 101: Fighting Caste Discrimination in CS/Tech" and also featured Equality Labs’ Thenmozhi Soundararajan.

In a turn of events, the bill, championed by Senator Aisha Wahhab and passed by the state assembly on 29th August this year, faced a stumbling block with the governor's veto. Its foundation was the Cisco caste case, which, rather inconveniently, crumbled in January 2023. Regardless of this minor hiccup, the California State Assembly, in their infinite wisdom, proceeded to pass the bill.

Now, stepping onto our illustrious stage, is Nikhil Dharmaraj, an SAA stalwart. He penned an article for the unmistakably neutral magazine, The Caravan, sagely warning against “The dangers of facial-recognition technology in Indian policing”. True to form, the article took a slight detour into Hinduphobia. And in a plot twist nobody saw coming, Dharmaraj attributed the 2020 anti-Hindu Delhi riots to Hindus. A truly groundbreaking revelation!

Never one to be confined by topic relevance, our “saree-enthusiast” Dharmaraj, in an ancillary post about the article, made a leap to connect Brahminical genealogies with AI and face recognition technology. It's amazing how he finds connections where mere mortals see none.

But, if you thought he was just about sarees and technology, think again. Dharmaraj, as reliably reported by Canary Mission, has consistently shown a certain aversion to Israel. Notably, he was a card-carrying member of Harvard University’s Palestine Solidarity Committee (PSC) in 2020, 2022, and 2023. It's quite the spectacle to witness Dharmaraj supporting a group like Hamas. After all, isn't it just a touch ironic for a queer advocate to support an organization not known for its queer-friendly stance? But then again, who are we to question such intricate layers of irony?

Nikhil, along with the previously mentioned SAA board members, is also an active participant in the South Asians for Forward-Thinking Advocacy and Research (SAFAR). SAFAR, as its reputation suggests, holds quite progressive views on the matters of Palestine and Kashmir and is often seen casting a discerning eye on India and Israel.

Now, as pointed out by the astute and intriguingly named “Sensei Kraken Zero”, Sravya Tadepalli, another voice in the anti-Israel Harvard student union chorus, holds a prestigious position on the board of the rather enigmatically named Hindus for Human Rights (HFHR). Sunita Vishwanath, the co-founder of HFHR, has the distinction of being less than enchanted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. And if one peels back the layers, there’s a delightful connection of HFHR to the 'Dismantling Global Hindutva' event. And for those who enjoy a dash of international intrigue, yes, George Soros, the man of many titles, including the 'regime change specialist', is somehow in this mix.

It appears that a shared sentiment among many of the Indian signatories of the Harvard statement is a deep-seated disapproval of PM Modi and what they perceive as India’s right-leaning politics. Take Shraddha Joshi, another Harvard alumni. She poured her feelings about Modi into an article titled “Modi’s Visit to the US Whitewashes India’s Far-Right Violence”, published just as the PM was embarking on a historic US visit. Her piece talks about India's so-called "democratic backsliding" under the BJP leadership, painting a picture of anti-minority sentiments and suppression of opposition voices since 2014. But, as always, one should never take things at face value, especially when there's a rich tapestry of opinions and affiliations to unravel.

Ah, Shraddha Joshi's tale is as tangled as they come. She once interned at NewsClick, a portal that's currently on the hot seat, alleged to be peddling pro-China narratives with funding straight from the dragon's mouth. The whispers suggest that NewsClick hasn't been playing entirely by the book, specifically the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) rules.

Then, there's her admiration for Gautam Navlakha, who's often adorned with the titles "Urban Naxal" and "journalist". Mr. Navlakha had his brush with the law in 2020 over his involvement in the Elgar Parishad event at the tail end of 2017. The event, organized in Pune, got quite heated, resulting in widespread unrest. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) paints quite the picture, linking the event's orchestrators with CPI (Maoist) leaders. This outfit doesn't have the best reputation, being labeled as a banned terror group under UAPA. Their agenda? To stir the pot, promoting Naxalite and Maoist ideologies, and perhaps a touch of unlawful activity.

And Ms. Joshi? Well, the Canary Mission, with its bird's-eye view, points out that she was no wallflower, playing an organizational role at the Harvard Palestine Solidarity Committee (PSC). And, oh, her stance on Israel! Ms. Joshi seems to possess a talent for selective vision, downplaying Palestinian-initiated violence while holding Israel solely accountable for the long-standing conflict. Quite the masterclass in duality, wouldn't you say?

Canary Mission: A Spotlight on Hatred

Canary Mission is a beacon, meticulously documenting those who harbor and promote animosity towards the USA, Israel, and the Jewish community, predominantly focusing on North American academic institutions and further afield. Their investigations span the breadth of the political spectrum, covering extremes on both the left and right, as well as those opposing Israel.

This initiative springs from an urge to tackle the mounting wave of anti-Semitism flourishing in academic environments. Canary Mission's strategy? Unmask the very words and actions of entities and individuals perpetrating anti-Semitism, bigotry, and racism, whether they hail from the extremes of the political arena or are nestled within the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, infamous for its anti-Semitic undertones.

Harnessing information from the vast expanse of the public domain, Canary Mission curates this data into a digestible and navigable format, ensuring the general populace can access it free of charge. Their commitment to truth is unwavering, ensuring every snippet of content stands up to rigorous verification standards before making its way to the public eye.

Their database isn't an arbitrary list. Guided by a strict Ethics Policy, every inclusion is judiciously considered. If someone contends their listing, they're not left in the dark. They're given a voice, an opportunity to communicate with Canary Mission, and in certain cases, transition into an 'Ex-Canary'.

By casting a spotlight on these harbingers of hatred, Canary Mission ensures communities are well-informed about the prejudices festering around them. After all, doesn't everyone deserve to know if someone has dipped their toes in the murky waters of anti-Semitic narratives, expressed disdain for Jewish individuals, or rallied for the annihilation of Israel?

The Chilling Irony of Ignorance

On the fateful day of October 7th, the terrorist organization, Hamas, unleashed a chilling assault on Israeli territory. The aftermath was devastating, with over 900 lives extinguished. The audacity of Hamas was startling - paragliders and vehicular terrorists armed to the teeth, violating borders, attacking peaceful civilians, residential areas, and even taking the audacity to a macabre level by disrupting a music festival in Southern Israel.

In response to this abomination, Israel rightfully defended its land and its people, launching a counter-assault against Hamas, leading to three harrowing days of bombing in the Gaza Strip. The cruelty of Hamas seemed boundless, with reports of kidnappings of hundreds, including Israelis and foreign nationals alike.

And amidst this turmoil, the darkness took a more sinister twist. With innocent Israelis held captive, families torn apart, and women facing unspeakable atrocities, the student unions of Harvard, in an astounding act of ignorance or perhaps selective blindness, chose to stand by Hamas. These luminaries of education, these young minds of the future, decided to point their fingers not at the perpetrators but at the victims, blaming Israel.

One might wonder, perhaps, if our dear saree aficionado, Mr. Dharmaraj and his illustrious league, ever pause to reflect on the weight of their words and actions. Or perhaps, in the hallowed halls of Harvard, the allure of trendy narratives outweighs the value of truth and justice. One can only hope that someday, they'll discover the value of discernment over the dazzle of dogma. After all, sarcasm aside, the world needs informed leaders, not just eloquent parrots.