Archive · 6 Sep 2026
IIT Mandi Orders Probe Into Controversial ‘Shudras Serve’ Poster
A poster at IIT Mandi explained parts of the Bhagavad Gita.
It divided people into four traditional groups and said Shudras should serve higher classes.
Many people said this was unfair and promoted caste discrimination.
The poster also talked about karma, reincarnation and a cycle of birth and death.
Students said it was displayed during Janmashtami celebrations.
IIT Mandi Director Laxmidhar Behera said the poster was made by students and was not approved by the institute.
He condemned caste discrimination and ordered a committee to investigate.
Critics also said technology institutes should use scientific experts for mental-health problems.
Behera said ISKCON opposes caste discrimination and teaches equality.
A Bhagavad Gita-themed poster at IIT Mandi said Shudras should “serve higher classes.”
The poster divided society into Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras and discussed karma and reincarnation.
IIT Mandi Director Laxmidhar Behera condemned the display, said it was student-led and ordered an inquiry.
Behera said the institute rejects caste discrimination and supports equality, social justice and scientific temper.
Rationalist critics also questioned IIT Kanpur’s agreement with ISKCON for wellness and stress-management courses.
- Who
- IIT Mandi, Director Laxmidhar Behera, students, and critics including Sudesh Ghoderao and Anil Wagde.
- What
- A Bhagavad Gita-themed poster describing caste-based duties triggered criticism, an institutional condemnation and an inquiry.
- When
- The poster was displayed during Janmashtami celebrations on September 4; Behera announced the inquiry on Sunday after returning to campus.
- Where
- Outside the auditorium at the Indian Institute of Technology Mandi in Himachal Pradesh.
- Why
- Critics objected to the poster’s description of Shudras serving higher classes and its references to karma, reincarnation and the cycle of birth and death.
Critics and Rationalists
IIT Mandi’s Religious and Institutional Response
Responsibility for the poster
Critics and Rationalists
Critics said the display appeared to show that IIT Mandi was promoting caste inequality and pseudoscientific ideas.
IIT Mandi’s Religious and Institutional Response
Director Laxmidhar Behera said it was a student-based event, had not been endorsed by the institute and would be investigated.
Meaning of caste-related teachings
Critics and Rationalists
Critics said describing Shudras as serving higher classes is regressive and conflicts with equality and constitutional values.
IIT Mandi’s Religious and Institutional Response
Behera said the institute opposes casteism and argued that occupational duties should be understood through “guna and karma,” while saying the inquiry panel should assess the poster.
Religion and mental-health support
Critics and Rationalists
Rationalists said IITs should rely on scientific mental-health experts rather than ISKCON or religious organisations for student stress and mental-health issues.
IIT Mandi’s Religious and Institutional Response
IIT Kanpur’s agreement with ISKCON covers self-management, wellness, stress management, personal development and self-esteem courses; Behera said ISKCON opposes caste discrimination and teaches equality.
- Poster title
- “Bhagavad Gita — The Timeless Wisdom”
- Location
- Outside the IIT Mandi auditorium
- Caste categories shown
- Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras
- Description of Shudras’ role
- “Serve higher classes”
- Institute response
- Director Laxmidhar Behera condemned the poster and ordered an inquiry committee.
- Institute position
- IIT Mandi said it supports equality, social justice, scientific temper and constitutional values.
- Related controversy
- Critics questioned IIT Kanpur’s memorandum of understanding with ISKCON for courses on wellness, stress management and personal development.
