Academics denounce harassment of scholars Dolly Kikon, Sanjay Barbora at Nagaland House

Recent reports indicate that a group of Indian scholars publicly condemned what they described as harassment of researcher Dolly Kikon and activist Sanjay Barbora inside Nagaland House, the official state office of Nagaland in New Delhi. The academics released a joint statement asserting that any intimidation of scholars undermines the principles of academic freedom and democratic discourse.

The statement, signed by several university professors and research fellows, called for an immediate inquiry into the incident and urged the authorities managing Nagaland House to ensure a safe environment for all visitors, especially those engaged in scholarly or civil‑society work. It emphasized that harassment, if proven, would be a breach of both institutional protocols and constitutional rights.

By raising the issue, the academic community seeks to highlight broader concerns about the treatment of intellectuals and activists in public institutions. The scholars appealed to the state government and relevant oversight bodies to act swiftly, reaffirming their commitment to protecting free inquiry and civil engagement across the country.