New Delhi: On August 14, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor emerita Zoya Hasan scheduled address on “Why Pluralism Matters” at Sardar Patel Vidyalaya (SPV)’s Independence Day function was cancelled at the last minute, with the school citing security concerns. Hasan said a school security official informed her that there was a threat to her safety as 10-15 protestors from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) had assembled outside the school.However, when The Wire reached out to Vinod Bansal, national spokesperson of the VHP, he categorically denied the outfit’s involvement in any such protest.“I stand by my belief that the invited guest must not be given any platform where they can influence, infect young minds. She belongs to the Tukde Tukde [pejorative term used to refer to liberal academicians, rights activists] gang and must not be given such space, but VHP has nothing to do with any such protest. I have my doubts whether the protest even happened in the first place. Either the police or the school must clarify the matter,” Bansal told The Wire. Several VHP Delhi leaders also shared videos on social media clarifying that they were nowhere involved in the ruckus or protest.Bansal added that he appreciated the fact that Hasan was unable to speak at the school, but reiterated that the VHP or any of its workers were responsible for the cancelation of the event. He even wrote on X saying, “It is not appropriate for a prestigious school in the capital, named after Sardar Patel ji and inspired by him, to invite as the chief guest a person who has himself insulted our Iron Man.”“We are pleased that the school administration, taking cognisance of this matter, has barred such a person from its programme, thereby protecting the students’ minds from any new infection that he might spread. It is in the interest of society to keep all such anti-national accomplices and associates of the “tukde-tukde gang” away from public platforms,” Bansal mentioned. Also read: ‘VHP Ruckus’ Forces Sardar Patel Vidyalaya to Cancel Zoya Hasan’s Talk on PluralismInitially when The Wire reached out to Bansal on August 14, regarding the matter he did not confirm the presence of members of their organisation at SPV, adding that he would “find out more and tell us in half an hour”.A senior police official in the Delhi Police also confirmed that there was no protest or gathering outside the school.The Wire has also written to the school for their response and clarification on the matter.