Harvard-Affiliated Indians Question Alumni Statement on Delhi Protests, Warn Against Eroding Trust in Institutions

A group of Indians associated with Harvard University and other prominent institutions has expressed concern over what it described as a campaign against India’s constitutional institutions, questioning a recent statement by Harvard alumni condemning the police action during protests in Delhi over alleged “vote chori”.

The group, comprising individuals from fields including law, public policy, civil services, science and academia, objected to the reported use of Harvard University’s name to lend credibility to a political position without appropriate authorisation.

“In moments such as these, silence cannot be an excuse for indifference,” the signatories said, raising concerns over what they described as negative public discourse surrounding India’s democratic institutions.

The statement comes a day after around 100 Harvard alumni, including students, faculty members and staff, reportedly condemned the police response to protests led by the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) in the national capital on October 10. The alumni had alleged police brutality and violations of constitutional rights.

The latest statement criticised attempts to discredit institutions such as the Election Commission of India, the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice of India and Parliament. It also objected to language describing India as being under “siege” and referring to constitutional authorities as “thieves” or “compromised”.

“This raises serious concerns about the intent to undermine public trust in democratic institutions,” the statement said.

The signatories maintained that law enforcement agencies should be subject to fair scrutiny, but argued that broad accusations and abusive language could not replace evidence. They called for consistent respect for the Constitution, the rule of law and civil liberties.

“Our commitment must remain to the Constitution, not convenience; to justice, not selective outrage; and to democratic institutions, not the politics of accusation,” the statement said.

The development follows a clarification by the Harvard Club of India, which said it had neither endorsed nor issued a statement on behalf of Harvard University regarding the Delhi protests. The club also distanced itself from the reported alumni letter, saying it did not represent the organisation’s official position.

The contrasting statements have brought questions of institutional representation, freedom of expression and public trust in constitutional bodies into focus amid the ongoing debate over the protests.