Sivankutty condemns recommendation to exclude rapper Vedan and Gowry Lekshmi's songs from University syllabus
The decision to remove the songs was reportedly made following a complaint filed by members of the university's governing body appointed by the Chancellor. Appointing another illegal committee to solicit opinions on a syllabus already prepared by academic committees will not be beneficial to academic interests. Those who are opposing the inclusion of the songs are unaware of the global significance of rap music, said Mr. Sivankutty.
Bhoomi Njan Vaazhunna Idam, a Malayalam rap song by rapper Vedan, was included in the syllabus of the fourth-semester undergraduate Malayalam Language and Literature course under the module Puthu Pravanathakal (new trends). The song touches upon ongoing global crises including the Palestinian 'genocide' and the war in Syria as well as the rape and murder of 8-year Asifa at Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir. The module also includes comparative study of Kathakali Padam (Kathakali song) Ajita Hare... Madhava by Muringur Shankaran Potti and its modern rendition Ajita Hare by Gowry Lekshmi, analysing how classical art forms have evolved in the current era.
A.K. Anuraj, a Syndicate member aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the University Syndicate, had sought the removal of Vedan's song, arguing that the language he used in his songs and public speeches was often unparliamentary and of poor quality. The Board of Studies (BoS) for undergraduate courses and the academic council of the University are expected to take a final call on the proposed exclusion of the songs.
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Indian Express
13 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Explained: The rift in Western world over Gaza, and its possible impact
With the humanitarian crisis in Gaza growing more alarming, Israel Sunday said it would halt military operations for 10 hours a day in parts of Gaza and allow new aid corridors. Days before, Israel and the United States had withdrawn from ceasefire negotiations with Hamas, citing the Palestinian group's lack of 'good faith'. The following day, on Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron announced his country would declare its recognition of a Palestinian state at the United Nations in September, drawing criticism from both the US and Israel. On July 21, 25 countries including Italy, Canada, UK, Japan, France and the EU had asserted that 'the war in Gaza must end now'. In recent days, multiple Western leaders, including Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Canadian PM Mark Carney, and Australian PM Anthony Albanese have strongly criticised Israel's actions in Gaza. These developments represent a global rift — including in the West — when it comes to Israel and Palestine. It is yet to be seen what this will mean on the ground. Israel's war on Gaza Over the past month, Israel's approach to Gaza has turned more decisive. With the US withdrawing from the ceasefire negotiations, Israel appears to have a carte blanche both for its maximalist military objective of eliminating Hamas and its maximalist political objective of a permanent occupation of Gaza. A chorus of Israeli ministers, like Itamar Ben-Gvir, continue to call for Palestinians to 'leave' Gaza. Defence Minister Israel Katz has laid out Israel's immediate plans for the Strip. This includes building a 'humanitarian city' on the ruins of Rafah where 600,000 Palestinians would initially be 'moved' and 'not be allowed to leave, except to go to other countries'. This plan, which will eventually include all of Gaza's population of roughly 2.1 million people, has been described as a potential concentration camp by several experts, including former Israeli PM Ehud Olmert. 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Hindustan Times
44 minutes ago
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India.com
2 hours ago
- India.com
They Preach Peace, Profit From Blood: How 28 Nations Condemn Israel's War But Keep Its Billions Flowing
Cairo (Egypt): They gathered signatures and drafted words. Foreign ministers from 28 countries stood behind a statement that called for an end to Israel's war in Gaza. The ink dried. The bombs did not stop. Nearly 60,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began. That is the official toll. More than 144,000 wounded. Many of them are children. A siege turned into starvation, which is now being documented death by death. Despite global outrage, the war drags on. And while their governments call for ceasefires and humanitarian pauses, a darker truth of trade hides beneath the headlines. These same nations that have signed letters and statements, taken podiums at the UN and spoken of peace are shaking hands with Israel in the marketplace. From Europe to Asia and beyond, billions in imports and exports flow back and forth. Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom did over a billion dollars in trade with Israel in 2023 alone, according to global trade data. Cars, microchips, vaccines and perfumes. The shipments have not stopped. Ireland, which recognised Palestine this year, continues to buy integrated circuits from Israel, $3.58 billion worth. That is nearly the entirety of Ireland's imports from Tel Aviv. Italy, the loudest exporter among the signatories, sold Israel $3.49 billion in goods last year. That included over $100 million in cars. So what happened to standing with Palestine? Ireland and Spain have taken bold diplomatic steps. Both countries recognised the Palestinian state in 2024. Norway and Slovenia followed suit. France said it will join them in September when the UN General Assembly meets. Seven other nations, including Cyprus and Poland, had recognised Palestine decades earlier, some as early as 1988. But as of July 2025, not one of them has frozen trade with Israel. None have imposed economic sanctions. None have taken steps that go beyond symbolic declarations. They condemn Israel's assault but still fuel its economy. These are the 28 signatories – Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. All of them continue to engage in trade relations with Israel. None have opted out. Even voices once loyal to Israel are starting to speak up. Once an unflinching supporter, Hillary Clinton has raised concerns about the humanitarian catastrophe. France, Germany and the United Kingdom recently held an emergency call. They asked for an 'immediate ceasefire'. They urged the 'unconditional release of all hostages'. They warned of famine. But they did not call for sanctions. They did not stop their business. So the war grinds on. With statements made in capitals, and deals signed in silence.
