Workaday Delhi

Today was another work day in Delhi--for some. Nehru University, where I'm teaching, was on strike today as it was one day last week. The university students are known to "embrace the culture of protest." The object of their protest this time is the JNU administration which they allege is paying its maintenance workers less than the minimum wage. 10 student leaders were suspended last week in regards to their protest activity, so the strikers now oppose the payment policy as well as the suspensions.


I was one of three faculty members I saw at work today--I promised the strikers I would not teach class--so the professors are either in accord with the students and laborers, or are taking a holiday. You decide.


Below are some of my favorite protest posters here at JNU. Most are virulently anti-American, as you will see. I definitely have a mission to accomplish here!

Anti-globalization is a theme, and opposition to the "UK-US-Israeli Axis of Imperialism."





Note the large poster showing a US gunship lobbing cans of Coke and TV sets on frightened, brown-skinned people. You can pick out logos of Disney, Shell Oil, Nike, Windows, and McDonald's, as well a Coca-Cola.