The Harvard Club of India, the official alumni group of the United States’ prestigious Harvard University alumni in India, clarified on Monday that it did not endorse or issue any statement regarding the ongoing protests in Delhi.
“As a member of the elected body of the Executive Council of the Harvard Club of India, which is the official alumni group of Harvard University alumni in India, I wanted to issue a clarification that certain individuals have gone ahead and issued a letter remarking on and making comments about the recent protest and the detention that followed. “This is to clarify that the Harvard Club of India, the officially recognised alumni association representing Harvard University alumni in India, has neither issued nor endorsed any statement concerning the recent protests in New Delhi or the actions taken by the authorities in connection with these events. A statement reportedly issued by a group of individuals identifying themselves as Harvard University alumni, expressing views on the police action against protesters and the detention of certain individuals, represents the personal views of its signatories alone,” it read.
On Saurday, October 10, about 41,000 security personnel turned the Capital into a fortress on Saturday to thwart the planned protest and launched an unprecedented clampdown that saw the detention of 7,000 people and left large chunks of Delhi deserted.
The club was referring to a letter reportedly issued by 100 Harvard University alumni condemning “police brutality, unlawful detention, and violations of constitutional rights of all peaceful protestors” in Delhi during the protest held on October 10 against chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision exercise. I wanted to issue a clarification that this is not the official position of the Harvard Club of India,” Sethi said.
