Philippe Baptiste, the French Minister of Higher Education and Research, has publicly denied the existence of "islamo-gauchisme" within universities, describing it as a non-existent or misunderstood term in academic contexts. His statements have sparked widespread debate and criticism across political and academic circles. Critics, including university lecturers like Fabrice Balanche and philosophers such as Pierre-Henri Tavoillot, argue that islamo-gauchisme is a real and growing phenomenon in French universities, characterized by the infiltration of Islamist and far-left ideologies. They warn of the dangers posed by this movement, citing incidents of disruption in academic settings and a perceived strategy by parts of the left to court Muslim voters. The controversy has extended into the government, with some officials urging Baptiste to retract his comments, while others emphasize a firm government stance against islamo-gauchisme. Public figures such as Robert Ménard and members of the National Rally have highlighted the threat they believe this movement poses to French society. The debate continues to unfold amid concerns about ideological divisions and the impact on university campuses ahead of the new academic year. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne has reportedly admonished Baptiste for his remarks, reflecting tensions within the administration.