Azim Premji University Students Protest Gaza Genocide, Demand End to Wipro-Israel Ties

Students at Azim Premji University staged a silent protest during their convocation ceremony on Saturday, wearing stickers that read “End ties between Wipro and Tel Aviv.” The demonstration was meant to show solidarity with the Palestinian people and condemn what they describe as Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza.

Azim Premji, founder and chairman of Wipro, also established the university that bears his name. A student speaking to Maktoob Media explained the reason behind the protest: “Wipro, which provides financial support to our university, is complicit in the genocide against Palestinians because it partners with Israel on multiple research projects. Many of these projects are being used to develop technologies that are currently being deployed in the massacre of Palestinians. Israel is an illegal state and an occupying force, and any relationship with it should be opposed.”

According to the students, some faculty members opposed displaying the stickers, but the students stood firm in their position.

In their official statement, the students declared: “We, the graduating class of 2025 at Azim Premji University, condemn the Israeli state and all institutions supporting this genocide.”

The statement further explained the institutional connections: “Azim Premji University receives funding from the Azim Premji Foundation, a charitable organization established by Azim Premji. This foundation holds approximately 66% economic ownership of Wipro Limited, a prominent technology services and consulting company. Wipro maintains an ongoing joint research partnership with Tel Aviv University (Ramot), Israel’s largest higher education institution. Additionally, allegations have emerged regarding ties with the Israeli military.”

During the ceremony, students chanted slogans in solidarity with Gaza, gathered together, and held placards bearing messages such as “Stop Funding Genocide!”