IIT Mandi Launches Inquiry Into Controversial Caste Based Poster

IIT Mandi has ordered an inquiry into a Bhagavad Gita themed poster displayed on campus that stated Shudras should serve higher classes. Director Laxmidhar Behera attributed the content to students' interpretation of the scripture and distanced the institute from the poster. The display occurred during Janmashtami celebrations on September 4 outside the institute's auditorium. The poster, titled Bhagavad Gita: The Timeless Wisdom, divided society into Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras, assigning specific roles to each group. It also included a verse regarding the four divisions of human society created according to the three modes of material nature.

In an email to the campus community, Behera expressed shock and issued an outright condemnation of the display. He stated that the institute is committed to the values of equality, social justice, and scientific temper enshrined in the Constitution. Behera noted that he was away from campus and only learned of the controversy on Sunday morning. He has since constituted an enquiry committee comprising faculty members and representatives from various social categories, including Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes.

Director Behera has a long association with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and teaches a three credit Gita course at the institute. He is also the founder of the proposed Bhaktivedanta University. Behera asserted that ISKCON strongly opposes caste discrimination and teaches equality, noting that the organization includes pujaris from the Shudra and Muslim communities. He further highlighted the increased representation of faculty from OBC, SC, and ST communities at IIT Mandi during his tenure.