Archive · 27 Jan 2026
IIT Delhi Investigates Caste and Race Conference
A conference at IIT Delhi about caste and race caused a big argument.
Some people, like a former CBI director, said the conference was against the country and should be stopped.
They think the group organizing it has been doing similar events since 2024 and that the school's leaders are allowing it.
The school says they are looking into it and will take action if needed.
The conference had speakers from India and other countries talking about caste and racism.
Some people don't like the topics or the speakers and think the conference is more about politics than learning.
IIT Delhi organized a conference on caste and race, sparking controversy over speaker choices and discussion topics.
Former CBI Director Mannem Nageswara Rao criticized the event, calling it 'anti-national' and demanding the group's disbandment.
IIT Delhi acknowledged concerns and set up a fact-finding committee to investigate the matter.
Critics argue the conference promotes narratives that negatively portray India and equate caste with race.
The CPCR group has previously organized similar conferences, including one in March 2024.
- Who
- IIT Delhi's Critical Philosophy of Caste and Race (CPCR) research study group
- What
- Organized a conference on caste and race, sparking controversy
- When
- January 16 to 18, 2026
- Where
- IIT Delhi's Senate Hall
- Why
- Concerns raised over the choice of speakers and the nature of discussions
- Institution
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi
- Conference Title
- Critical Philosophy of Caste & Race (CPCR3): Celebrating 25 Years of Durban: Indian Contributions to Combatting Caste and Racism
- Organizer
- Critical Philosophy of Caste and Race (CPCR) research study group
- Dates
- January 16 to 18, 2026
- Location
- IIT Delhi's Senate Hall
- Critic
- Mannem Nageswara Rao, former interim Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
- Committee
- Fact-finding committee set up by IIT Delhi
Sources
IIT Delhi Conference On Caste And Race Sparks Controversy, Institute Sets Up Fact-Finding Panel
IIT Delhi caste conference row: Divya Dwivedi, Equality Labs, and the Dalit-Palestinian narrative
IIT Delhi probes ‘caste and race’ conference; fact-finding panel formed after public backlash
Explain choice of speakers, content: IIT-Delhi tells organisers of seminar on caste, race; institute sets up fact-finding panel
IIT-Delhi sets fact-finding panel after row over conference on caste and race
