IIT Mandi is facing another controversy. A poster displayed on the institute premises during Shri Krishna Janmashtami celebrations has triggered questions over caste hierarchy and representation. This is not the first time the institute has been in the spotlight for such reasons.
IIT Mandi controversy history: From 2012 Mahabharata skit to recent poster row
The latest episode has brought renewed attention to a series of controversies that have surfaced at the institute over the years. The institute faced controversy as early as 2012, when students allegedly mocked religious figures in a short play based on the "Draupadi Cheerharan" episode from the Mahabharata during a freshers' party.
Following public outrage, the students reportedly submitted a written apology. The incident became a talking point because it involved religious themes and was seen as disrespectful by many.
Director's pledge appeal in 2023 adds to IIT Mandi row list
More than a decade later, another debate emerged around IIT Mandi Director Professor Laxmidhar Behera. In 2023, Behera appealed to students to take a pledge. The details of the pledge and the debate it sparked are part of the pattern of repeated rows at the institute.
The recurring nature of these incidents raises a clear question: why does IIT Mandi keep finding itself in controversy? The recent poster row, like the 2012 skit, centres on how sensitive topics — religion and caste — are handled on campus.
Our Take: IIT Mandi must address sensitivity gaps
To put it plainly, the pattern here is worrying. A single controversy can be dismissed as an isolated mistake. But repeated rows — from a Mahabharata skit in 2012 to a caste-hierarchy poster now — suggest a deeper problem with awareness and sensitivity on campus.
Students at a top technical institute are expected to lead the country in innovation and thought. That responsibility includes understanding the social weight of religion and caste in India. A poster during Janmashtami that raises questions over caste hierarchy is not just a student error — it reflects what the institute tolerates or fails to teach.
The written apology in 2012 did not prevent the 2023 pledge debate or the current poster row. In our view, IIT Mandi needs more than apologies. It needs clear guidelines on how religious and caste themes are represented in student activities, and training that helps students recognise why such displays cause harm. Until that happens, the institute will likely keep appearing in headlines for the wrong reasons.