Spark July 2025: Posters at OU ask students to raise Gaza humanitarian crisis, India’s black money issue

Hyderabad: A series of posters appeared across the Osmania University (OU) campus on Tuesday, challenging students to reflect on global and national issues.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza and India’s long-standing black money debate were the main highlights.

The posters are part of a campaign titled “Spark July 2025”, created by the Disha Students Organisation, an emerging student collective active in OU, Nizam College, and the English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU).

Cartoons as Commentary

The posters blend sharp political satire with facts, designed to provoke discussion rather than declare allegiance. One prominent cartoon depicts former U.S. President Donald Trump grasping a peace dove by its beak, sarcastically questioning the whereabouts of his Nobel Peace Prize. The visual is a direct critique of American foreign policy and Trump’s controversial nomination for the prestigious award, despite his administration’s polarising role in Middle Eastern politics.

Another cartoon focuses on India’s internal political climate. A conversation between a common Indian voter and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is shown, where the voter reminds Modi of the 2014 election promise of ₹15 lakh in every citizen’s bank account. Modi attempts to clarify that the money was only meant to be brought back from abroad. The voter responds by holding up a newspaper article reporting that Indian money in Swiss banks has tripled in 2024.

“Black money triples, Sir,” says the voter, leaving Modi visibly confused in the illustration.

Focus on Palestine and the Middle East

Accompanying the cartoons are informational panels on the Israel-Iran tensions, the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and the broader implications of global silence or complicity. Several posters call for solidarity with Palestinian civilians and question the role of global powers in prolonging the conflict.

“Palestine is not just a political issue. It’s a humanitarian one,” said a Disha member who requested anonymity. “We are not aligned with any political party. We aim to encourage critical thinking on campus, not passive consumption of news.”

A Cultural-Literary Approach

Interestingly, the posters are not limited to cartoons or headlines. Each edition of “Spark” also includes quotes from literature and philosophy. The July edition features a quote by Soviet writer Maxim Gorky:

“Among the things that man invents, the book is the greatest… It is the memory of humanity.”

This literary layer appears to be a deliberate attempt to root political commentary in broader cultural reflection.

Monthly Themes and Growing Reach

The Disha Students Organisation has been producing and distributing such content monthly. Each edition focuses on a new theme, often chosen based on current events. Previous months reportedly tackled topics such as electoral funding, student suicides, and climate justice.

“Our method is simple: a visual, a question, and a quote. If even ten people stop and think, the poster has done its job,” said another Disha volunteer from Nizam College.

While the collective remains largely low-profile, students across OU have taken notice. “These posters are different. They don’t tell you what to think, they make you curious,” said Ajay Kumar, a second-year political science student at OU.

Mixed Reactions and No Official Response Yet

So far, there has been no official response from university authorities. While many students appreciated the posters as a form of free expression, some also raised concerns about the political tone of the content.

A senior professor at OU, speaking off the record, said, “As long as the content is respectful and sparks healthy discussion, I believe there’s space for this on a university campus. Critical thinking should not be feared.”

The Spark July 2025 posters remain visible at various points across the OU campus, drawing passing glances and quiet reflection. Whether the message spreads beyond the posters remains to be seen, but for now, it’s clear that students are listening.