Harvard Student Journal Deletes Article On Khalistani Terrorism, Faces Backlash

Last Updated:March 01, 2025, 21:32 IST

The now-deleted article recounted the history of Khalistani terrorism in India, its rise in Canada and its adverse impact on Indo-Canada ties.

Harvard student journal drops article criticising Khalistani terrorism. (Image: Representative)

Under pressure from pro-Khalistani quarters, Harvard University deleted an article over Khalistani terrorism and how it was affecting Indo-Canadian relations. Following this, the university faced criticism for removing the article from The Harvard Review, which is seen as a risky illustration of how sensible voices could be silenced by radical intimidation.

The article titled ‘A Thorn in the Maple: How the Khalistan Question is Reshaping India- Canada Relations’ by Zyna Dhillon was published on February 15 in the Harvard Review.

The now-deleted article recounted the history of Khalistani terrorism in India, its rise in Canada and its adverse impact on Indo-Canada ties. Reportedly, it was unpublished on February 22, according to India Today.

Zyna Dhillon, the author who is a Harvard student from Punjab’s Amritsar, stated in a statement that she believes the the Harvard Review (HIR) gave in to pressure. “The decision to remove the article was, in my opinion, a knee-jerk reaction," she said, according to the student publication Harvard Crimson. Notably, the author bio also vanished from the HIR website following the controversy.

The article was described as a “opinionated style of journalism rather than the analytical reporting HIR has published for nearly 50 years" by the HIR editors-in-chief, according to The Harvard Crimson.

Meanwhile, the removal of the piece is viewed as a risky precedent by activists as a prestigious institution gave in to pressure and broke its promise to support free expression.

Harvard Faces Backlash

Harvard faced a backlash soon after the news grabbed attention over the withdrawal of the article by Dhillon. Several organisations and individuals are sharing archived links to it on social media platforms.

The coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) called the withdrawal of the article a “shameful" act.

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News world Harvard Student Journal Deletes Article On Khalistani Terrorism, Faces Backlash