Archive · 8 Nov 2025
IIT Gandhinagar Faces Dual Controversy Over Faculty Appointments and Vande Mataram Objections
A school called IIT Gandhinagar is in the news for two reasons.
First, some people are upset because they say the school hired a man named M.K. Raina who is 77 years old and had signed a paper asking for a terrorist named Yakub Memon to be shown mercy.
People are angry because they think this man is not a good fit for a school that teaches science and engineering, and they don't think the school was open about hiring him.
Second, another professor at the same school, named Arup Chakraborty, is reportedly not comfortable with everyone singing a patriotic song called 'Vande Mataram'.
Some people believe he thinks parts of the song are not good for everyone to sing together.
These two things have made many people online very unhappy with the school.
IIT Gandhinagar is facing controversy for appointing M.K. Raina, who allegedly signed a mercy petition for Yakub Memon.
Critics claim Raina's appointment was kept secret and question his qualifications for a faculty position at a technical institute.
Raina has also been criticized for past remarks against the Modi government regarding freedom of expression.
A separate controversy involves Professor Arup Chakraborty, who reportedly objected to singing the national song 'Vande Mataram'.
Online users are demanding explanations from IIT Gandhinagar regarding transparency in appointments and faculty conduct.
- Who
- IIT Gandhinagar, M.K. Raina, Arup Chakraborty, social media users, critics
- What
- Controversies surrounding a faculty appointment and objections to the patriotic song 'Vande Mataram'.
- When
- November 2025 (current controversy), August 2015 (Yakub Memon petition signing), September 2025 (alleged appointment date)
- Where
- IIT Gandhinagar
- Why
- Concerns over the background of appointed faculty, transparency in hiring, and perceived objections to nationalistic symbols.
- Institution
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar
- Controversy 1 Appointee
- M.K. Raina (actor-theatre personality)
- Controversy 1 Allegation
- Signed mercy petition for Yakub Memon; lack of transparency in appointment
- Controversy 2 Faculty Member
- Arup Chakraborty (Professor)
- Controversy 2 Allegation
- Objected to singing of 'Vande Mataram', citing specific verses and sensitivities
- Alleged Appointment Date (Raina)
- September 2025