IIT Mandi has ordered an inquiry into a controversial poster displayed on its campus during Janmashtami celebrations that described the role of Shudras as to “serve higher classes”.
The poster, titled “Bhagavad Gita – The Timeless Wisdom”, was displayed outside the institute’s auditorium during a student-led event on September 4. It divided society into four varnas and listed different roles for Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras.
The display triggered criticism from students, alumni and social media users, who accused the institute of allowing caste-based ideas to be promoted on campus.
IIT Mandi Director Condemns Poster
IIT Mandi Director Laxmidhar Behera said the poster had not been approved or endorsed by the institute.
In an email to the campus community, Behera said he was “shocked” to learn about the display and stressed 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,” he said, adding that an inquiry committee had been formed to ensure that the campus was not used for “any such violation of social harmony”.
“I fully empathise with members of our community who have been hurt by this incident,” Behera said.
He added that IIT Mandi was committed to “the values of equality, social justice, scientific temper” and other constitutional principles.
“The institute strongly condemns any form of caste-based discrimination,” he said.
Committee to Investigate Poster
Behera said the poster was prepared as part of a student-led event and that he had not personally seen it.
“Some students have interpreted the Gita in some way. I have instituted an enquiry committee. It was a student-based event,” he told PTI.
The committee includes faculty members and representatives from different social categories, including Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes.
“I don’t want to take a side here and let the panel decide,” Behera said.
What Did the Poster Say?
The poster was titled “Bhagavad Gita – The Timeless Wisdom” and presented the four varnas as Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras.
It described Brahmanas as those who “spread God’s message”, Kshatriyas as those who “protect society and spirituality”, and Vaishyas as those who “drive economy, support others”.
For Shudras, however, it stated that their role was to “serve higher classes”.
The poster also displayed a verse from the Bhagavad Gita referring to the four divisions of human society as being created according to the “three modes of material nature and the work associated with them”.
Director Defends His Gita Teaching
Behera has a longstanding association with teaching the Bhagavad Gita and has taught a course on the text at IIT Mandi.
He said the controversy should not be taken as representing the institute’s position and maintained that he and ISKCON oppose caste discrimination.
“We are against casteism in all forms. All occupational duties are according to guna and karma,” he said.
Behera also claimed that the representation of SC, ST and OBC communities among IIT Mandi faculty had increased during his tenure.
The inquiry is expected to examine how the poster was prepared and how it was allowed to be displayed on the campus.
