Indian Student Alleges Bias and Hinduphobia at UK University After Election Controversy

Satyam Surana accuses London School of Economics of mishandling harassment complaints and fostering an anti-Hindu, anti-India bias.

London [UK], January 6: Indian student Satyam Surana has accused the London School of Economics (LSE) of mishandling his complaints regarding alleged hate campaigns, harassment, and Hinduphobic smears during the university’s student elections. Surana claimed that despite presenting evidence of targeted abuse and harassment, the university dismissed the allegations, citing insufficient proof and framing the accused students’ actions under the ambit of freedom of expression.

Allegations of Bias and Delay in Investigation

Surana, who gained national recognition in 2023 for retrieving the Indian flag during an attack on the Indian High Commission in London, stated that the LSE authorities delayed the investigation deliberately. He alleged that by the time a decision was reached, most of the accused students had already graduated, rendering the inquiry ineffective.

“After reporting hate messages, abusive remarks, and evidence from CCTV footage and social media posts, the university deemed my submissions insufficient,” Surana said in an interview with ANI.

He further claimed that the authorities overlooked most of his complaints, focusing only on one incident involving vandalism of his campaign posters, which was dismissed due to a lack of available CCTV footage.

Religious and National Identity Targeted

Surana highlighted that slogans like “We don’t want a Hindu nationalist or an Indian nationalist to be elected to the student union” were openly used against him. He argued that his religious and national identity were specifically targeted under the guise of free speech and expression.

“The university justified these remarks as freedom of expression. How can venom against someone’s religious identity be protected under free speech?” he questioned.

Double Standards in Handling Issues

Surana also pointed out inconsistencies in how universities handle cases of Hinduphobia versus Islamophobia. He mentioned being warned for social media posts criticizing how the Palestine movement was allegedly misused to sympathize with extremist ideologies.

“This is a clear double standard. Universities are quick to act against perceived Islamophobia but dismiss blatant Hinduphobia as free speech,” he said.

Accusations Against ‘Left-Wing Ideologies’ on Campuses

The Indian student further alleged that major global university campuses, including LSE, have been “hijacked by pro-left ideologies.” According to Surana, these ideologies foster anti-India sentiments and target students with vocal Hindu identities.

He claimed that this bias isn’t limited to LSE but is a systemic issue across prestigious institutions like Oxford and other UK universities.

Call for Accountability and Change

Surana emphasized the need for systemic reforms in handling harassment cases and called on universities to ensure a fair, unbiased environment for students from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds.

“The academic space should foster diversity and inclusion, not suppress voices based on identity or political leanings,” he added.

A Growing Concern for Indian Students Abroad

Surana’s claims reflect a broader concern among Indian students facing discrimination and bias in global academic institutions. His case raises significant questions about accountability, freedom of speech boundaries, and institutional responsibility in addressing harassment and hate speech on campuses.

The issue highlights the urgent need for universities to address systemic biases and ensure that no student feels marginalized or silenced due to their national or religious identity.