New Delhi: After Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi’s Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) and Hyderabad’s Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) Thursday announced the suspension of their Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with educational institutions in Turkey, citing national security concerns.
On Wednesday, the JNU announced that it had suspended its MoU with Inonu University in Turkey. This move comes amid an intensifying boycott of Turkish goods and services in India, spurred by Turkey’s vocal support for Pakistan following India’s military action under Operation Sindoor.
Additionally, the use of Turkish-origin drones by Pakistan to breach Indian airspace has triggered widespread public and political backlash within the country.
In a statement Thursday, Jamia affirmed its support for the nation. “Due to national security considerations, any Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, and any institution affiliated with the Government of the Republic of Türkiye stands suspended with immediate effect, until further orders,” the university said.
Similarly, the MANUU announced the immediate termination of its academic MoU with the Yunus Emre Institute.
“The decision has been taken in protest against Turkey’s support for Pakistan’s terrorist activities in the context of Indo-Pak tensions,” the university registrar said in an official communication.
The university stated that the MoU had been signed on 2 January, 2024, for a period of five years, under which a diploma course in Turkish language was introduced at the School of Languages, Linguistics, and Indology.
“The services of a Visiting Professor were engaged for this program. It is also worth noting that the Visiting Professor from Turkey has already returned to his country,” the statement stated.
There is also growing demand for a tourism boycott of both Turkey and Azerbaijan, following Ankara and Baku’s support for Islamabad and their criticism of India’s strikes on terror camps in Pakistan.
MakeMyTrip, according to media reports, has seen a 60 percent decline in bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan, accompanied by a sharp rise in cancellations. Similarly, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) Wednesday issued a statement, urging the Indian film industry to avoid shooting films in Turkey in the future.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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