Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), wrote a letter to Rutgers University President Jonathan Holloway regarding protesting students’ demand to display flags of displaced peoples on the Rutgers campus. Students had requested that flags representing occupied peoples, including but not limited to Palestinians, Kurds, and Kashmiris, be displayed in all areas where international flags are present across Rutgers campuses.

In his letter, Dr. Abraham expressed concern, stating, "We are very surprised to read that you are considering the demand of protesting students to display the flags of occupied peoples—including but not limited to Palestinians, Kurds, and Kashmiris—in all areas displaying international flags across the Rutgers campuses. This is a dangerous territory for Rutgers to get involved in. By even considering this demand, you are questioning the integrity of India. Kashmir is very much a part of India. There is no separate flag for Kashmir. Kashmir residents are not displaced people. The displaced people are the Hindu minorities who had to leave Kashmir because of violence against them. If Rutgers displays such a flag of Kashmir, that will be the beginning of more sit-ins by students who are opposed to such flags."

The letter continued, "As a public educational institution that belongs to everyone, Rutgers University has no business getting involved in the internal conflicts of countries around the world."

GOPIO is a non-profit, community service, and advocacy group with chapters in 35 countries. It has seven active chapters in the New York area and three chapters in New Jersey. Founded in 1989 at the First Convention of People of Indian Origin in New York, GOPIO has been dedicated to advocating for the civil and human rights of people of Indian origin worldwide.