Harvard University is under fire for holding a "Pakistan Conference" at its South Asia Institute. The event featured several Pakistani officials, including Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammed Aurangzeb and Ambassador to the US Rizwan Shaeed Sheikh. The timing of the event drew criticism. It happened just days after a terror attack in Pahalgam, where Pakistan-based terrorists killed 26 tourists. The incident led many to question Harvard’s decision.

Indian Students Raise Concerns

Two Indian students, Surabhi Tomar and Abhishek Chaudhuri, wrote to Harvard officials. They asked the university to prevent its campus from becoming a space to “whitewash state-enabled religious terrorism,” according to a Times of India report.

They also sent a letter to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In it, they warned that giving a platform to Pakistani officials made Harvard look “complicit.” “Welcoming representatives of a government that enables or justifies terrorism risks Harvard being complicit. The United States must not host representatives of a state that protects and promotes organisations targeting civilians based on faith,” the students wrote.

Laxmi Mittal Distances Himself from Event

Indian billionaire Laxmi Mittal, who funds Harvard's South Asia Institute, has reportedly distanced himself from the conference. He made this move after the controversy gained momentum.

Harvard Staff Moderated a Sensitive Discussion

The Harvard Pakistan Conference website showed that the institute's Executive Director Hitesh Hathi moderated a panel. Pakistani-American historian Ayesha Jalal also took part in the discussion. The session was titled: “The Enlightened Muslim: Examining the intersection of religion, modernity, and state formation in Pakistan.” This further fueled criticism from students and others.

Students Demand Harvard Respond

The students urged Harvard to publicly condemn the Pahalgam attack. They also asked for emotional and institutional support for students affected by the violence. Specifically, they called for:

• A public statement condemning the attack

• Clarity and support for Hindu and Indian students grieving the killings

Institute Says It Only Gave Support, Not Hosting

An institute administrator said the conference was arranged by Pakistani students. The South Asia Institute, the official added, did not host it but only provided “some support.” Hamid Mir, a well-known Pakistani journalist, also attended the event.