Professor Vipin Kumar Tripathi, a retired plasma physicist from IIT Delhi and social activist known for advocating communal harmony, faced intimidation while distributing pamphlets that emphasized non-violence and solidarity with Gaza. This incident reflects a continuing pattern of harassment that he has endured over recent months.
In a video shared by his daughter, Tripathi can be seen engaged in a tense exchange with a group of individuals who were disputing his views. When one person commented, “You are worrying about Gaza’s condition, look at your own,” Tripathi responded, “They (Palestinians) are our own.” The group expressed their unwillingness to coexist with people from Pakistan and Gaza, directly challenging his message of compassion.
Rakhi Tripathi, his daughter, expressed her frustration on social media, stating, “See how these hateful people cornered my father. All he said was that Gaza needs compassion, yet they mocked him for it. Papa faces this almost daily, yet he is dedicated to humanity. Boils my blood.”
On September 27, while in Dharavi, Maharashtra, police intervened as Tripathi was distributing his pamphlets. Officers seized his materials, citing the need for prior permission, and subsequently took him to the local police station.
Professor Tripathi has a long history of combating communal hatred through dialogue and pamphleteering. He has organized fasts at Rajghat and is often seen engaging with the public across different cities, emphasizing that silence in the face of violence constitutes complicity.
Motivated by ongoing atrocities, Tripathi feels compelled to raise awareness about the situation in Gaza. He recounted the roots of his activism, which began in 1982 during Israel’s invasion of Lebanon that resulted in over 30,000 Palestinian casualties. Disgusted by global support for Israel, he returned to India to continue his advocacy work. “The masses do not have weapons or the power to fight those weapons, but they have an inner strength to resist oppression,” he stated.
Following the attacks on October 7 by Hamas, Tripathi initially believed the conflict might cease quickly, recalling that Israel typically incurs fewer losses in such engagements. However, he was later appalled by the focus on civilian targets and widespread destruction in Gaza. He asserted that the Palestinians lack governance and external support, having been rendered stateless by Israeli actions.
The ongoing situation highlights the enduring struggle for advocacy amid hostility, as illustrated by Professor Tripathi’s commitment to humanitarian efforts and non-violence.
Tags: VK Tripathi, Palestine solidarity, professor harassment, pamphlets distribution, academic freedom
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