'Shudras Serve Higher Classes’ Displayed On IIT Mandi Campus During Janmashtami Celebrations, Probe Ordered
IIT Mandi has ordered an inquiry into a controversial poster displayed during Janmashtami celebrations that stated Shudras should “serve higher classes”, with Director Laxmidhar Behera condemning caste-based discrimination.
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi has ordered an inquiry into a poster that stated Shudras should “serve higher classes.” The poster has sparked concerns over caste discrimination, with institute Director Laxmidhar Behera saying he was “shocked” to see it appear on campus and clarifying that the institute had no role in it or endorsed it in any manner.
The controversial poster, titled “Bhagavad Gita - The Timeless Wisdom”, described the role of Brahmanas as “spread God’s message”, Kshatriyas as “protect society and spirituality”, Vaishyas as “drive economy, support others” and Shudras as “serve higher classes.”
The poster was displayed around the campus during the Janmashtami celebrations on September 4. The director said he empathises with students who were hurt by the poster and reaffirmed that the institute upholds “the values of equality, social justice, scientific temper” and other principles enshrined in the Constitution.
Behera Orders Inquiry Into Poster
Behera has ordered an inquiry into the matter and said the institute, along with him personally, stands against caste discrimination.
Behera, who teaches a three-credit Gita course at IIT Mandi and is the founder of the proposed Bhaktivedanta University, which describes itself as an ISKCON initiative, said, “Some students have interpreted the Gita in some way,” while referring to the Bhagavad Gita-themed poster.
Behera has a longstanding association with the teaching of the Bhagavad Gita and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
Faculty Members, Representatives From SC, OBC Category To Inquire
The inquiry committee ordered by the institute comprises faculty members and representatives from different social categories, including Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes.
Behera emailed the IIT Mandi community on Sunday regarding the matter, saying he was shocked to learn about the poster and clarifying that it had not been endorsed by the institute “in any manner”.
“I have personally fought against caste-based discrimination in any form in every forum. I have instituted an enquiry committee in this matter such that the institute campus is never used for any such violation of social harmony. I fully empathise with members of our community who have been hurt by this incident,” he wrote.
“The institute strongly condemns any form of caste based discrimination,” he said in the email, seeking cooperation from the campus community to “stand together against such biases/discrimination in any form”.
