Columbia University in New York City has become a focal point for pro-Palestine demonstrations, even after the arrest of 108 protesters from the campus earlier in the week. A video circulating on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) shows 'azadi' (freedom) slogans being chanted during one of these rallies on the university grounds.
In the undated video posted by Documenting Jew Hatred on Campus, a woman, seemingly of Indian origin, is seen leading the chants in Hindi advocating for Palestine's freedom. Against the backdrop of the iconic Low Memorial Library, she passionately chants slogans like "Arey hum kya chahte, Azadi... Palestine ki, Azadi..." ("What do we want, freedom... Palestine's freedom...").
Additionally, the woman calls out to leaders such as Biden, Netanyahu, and Modi, urging them to listen to the demands for freedom. However, the authenticity and date of the video could not be verified by India Today.
Similar 'azadi' slogans have been heard at Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi and during the peak years of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir. These chants have been associated with events commemorating the anniversary of Afzal Guru's execution and the broader Kashmiri separatist movement.
The recent protests at Columbia University led to the arrest of 108 demonstrators and the suspension of several students, including Isra Hirsi, daughter of controversial Democratic leader Ilhan Omar. The demonstrations continue to draw attention to the ongoing debate surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict on college campuses.
