In a striking display of political activism, students at Azim Premji University (APU) took a bold stand during their convocation ceremony last Sunday, 4th August. They adorned their graduation attire with badges depicting the Palestinian flag. This act was not merely symbolic but carried a vehement message: the students demanded that Wipro, the global IT conglomerate founded by Azim Premji, sever its affiliations with Tel Aviv University and other Israeli companies. This move aligns APU with other educational institutions like Ashoka University and IIT Madras, which have previously been venues for similar anti-Israel expressions.

During an interaction with the press, a student voice resonated with a strong political charge. "We demanded the company divest from Israeli MNCs and institutions to stop funding the genocide in Palestine," declared one of the graduates, reflecting a deeply held stance against what they perceive as injustices perpetuated through these affiliations. The assertion that as many as 80 students participated in this protest by wearing the badges suggests a significant, organized effort among the student body to challenge and influence corporate practices tied to their university’s namesake.

From the university’s perspective, the response was measured and aimed at downplaying the event's disruptiveness. "A few students wore Palestinian flags as a sign of solidarity. The convocation was held without disturbance, nor were there any protests on campus that we are aware of," stated an APU spokesperson. This comment seems to suggest an attempt to maintain a facade of normalcy and non-confrontation during what is typically a celebratory academic event, despite the underlying currents of dissent.

The funding structure of Azim Premji University is primarily supported by the Azim Premji Foundation, a philanthropic entity created by Wipro’s founder, Azim Premji. This connection has brought the university into the spotlight, as students voiced strong criticism against Wipro’s ongoing research partnership with Tel Aviv University and other Israeli organizations. The student body’s discontent stems from their view that Wipro should sever all financial ties with these Israeli entities, which they believe are complicit in what they refer to as the genocide in Palestine.

Amidst the convocation’s ceremonial atmosphere, the undercurrents of dissent were palpable. "Azim Premji Foundation is funded by Wipro and has a reputation of being very philanthropic. On one hand, they are maintaining an image of working for the welfare of the people and on the other hand, they are enabling the genocide of Palestinians by partnering with Israeli organisations. We demand that the company stop investing in Israel and stand with the people of Palestine," articulated one student. 

The protest took on a symbolic dimension as noted by another student during an interview with The Hindu. "It was a symbolic protest. We expected Mr. Azim Premji to be present at the convocation like every year, but he did not come this time. But we want this message to reach him. We appeal to him to cut ties with Israeli institutions."

Azim Premji University and the Rising Trend of Student Activism Against Israeli Partnerships

The recent convocation at Azim Premji University was not an isolated event in the realm of student activism; it is part of a broader pattern of protests within Indian universities concerning Israeli-Palestinian relations. Prior to this, Azim Premji University students had organized a pro-Palestine rally, signaling a continuous engagement with the issue rather than a sporadic interest.

This phenomenon is not limited to Azim Premji University. In July 2024, Ashoka University also witnessed similar expressions of student activism. During its convocation, pro-Palestine slogans disrupted the ceremonial atmosphere. On the 24th of May, Ashoka students took a more visual approach, holding up placards with messages such as “Free Palestine” and “Stop Genocide” as they collected their degrees. This act was sufficiently impactful to spread beyond the campus, as a video capturing these moments went viral on various social media platforms. The student government at Ashoka University, known as the Ashoka University Student Government (AUSG), has been vocally critical, demanding a severance of ties with Tel Aviv University since May of this year.

The trend continued at IIT Madras, where, just days before the incidents at Ashoka University, student Dhananjay Balakrishnan utilized his convocation speech to advocate for Palestine. On the 19th of July, during the 61st convocation of the institute, Dhananjay, a recipient of the Governor’s prize for best all-around proficiency in curricular and extracurricular activities for his dual degree in mechanical engineering, delivered a poignant speech. In his address, he referred to the situation in Palestine as a “mass genocide” and issued a “call for action” to his fellow graduates and the audience.