ACTIVISTS say the University of WA has effectively tried to ban a left-wing Indian intellectual from a public talk by putting up administrative roadblocks.
Renowned Marxist theorist Vijay Prashad was heading to Perth to discuss the crisis in Palestine and modern Indian politics, and was booked to talk at Murdoch University and UWA on November 6.
But organisers at UWA said the uni was clearly making it hard for them to hold the Palestinian-focussed talk.
Booking
Student club Palestinian Cultural Society president Ahmad Alqaisi said when they booked a venue and started publicity, University authorities instructed them to stop until they were given express approval.
That dragged on for weeks, but after pressure from academics and some questions from the Voice, the uni relented and provided the permission.
But Mr Alqaisi said it came with a provision that couldn’t be met.
Citing the fact that examinations would be held that week UWA required the event to be moved from 1pm to 6pm – exactly the same time as Prashad was due to speak at Murdoch.
“The administration tangled us in classic bureaucratic snares,” Mr Alqaisi said.
“They didn’t officially ban the event, which they know would be a scandal.
“They withheld approval for weeks, so their hands are technically clean, but the effect is the same.”
Melbourne University academic Max Lane was one of dozens who emailed UWA vice chancellor Amit Chakma, describing the issue as “disturbing” and “shocking”. He warned that “the news of UWA’s repressive actions is spreading fast”.
“Over 1 million people can read [Dr Prashad’s] weekly newsletter, but UWA students can’t come to hear him,” Dr Lane wrote.
Meanwhile, the Indo-Pacific Studies Centre at Murdoch University is proceeding with its November 6 event, There Will Be No Modi 3.0 in India at 6pm in the Herbert Smith Freehills Lecture Theatre.
The Voice contacted UWA about the scheduling clause, but didn’t hear back before deadline.
by BARRY HEALY
Perth Voice Interactive 
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