Archive · 7 Sep 2026
IIT Mandi Disowns Casteist Poster and Orders Inquiry
A poster was put up at IIT Mandi during Janmashtami.
It described different duties for four caste groups and said Shudras should serve higher classes.
Many academics, rights groups and students criticised the poster.
Some students said the institute supported the display.
IIT Mandi said the event was not officially organised by it.
The institute also said it did not approve or help with the event.
It said equality and social justice are important constitutional values.
IIT Mandi condemned caste discrimination and religious bigotry.
It has created a committee to investigate what happened.
IIT Mandi said an event displaying a controversial poster was not officially organised by the institute.
The poster, titled “Bhagavad Gita — The Timeless Wisdom,” described duties assigned to Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras.
It was displayed near the IIT auditorium on Janmashtami, according to the report.
The poster said Shudras had a duty to “serve higher classes,” drawing criticism from academics and rights groups.
IIT Mandi said it rejects caste discrimination and has formed a committee to investigate the matter.
- Who
- IIT Mandi, its registrar Kumar Sambhav Pandey, and the event’s organisers; academics, rights groups and students criticised the poster.
- What
- A poster presenting caste-based duties was displayed on campus, prompting IIT Mandi to distance itself from the event and launch an inquiry.
- When
- The poster was displayed on Janmashtami, identified in the report as Friday; IIT Mandi issued its response on Sunday.
- Where
- Near the IIT Mandi auditorium.
- Why
- IIT Mandi said the event was not officially organised or endorsed by the institute and ordered an inquiry after criticism of the poster.
Critics of the poster
IIT Mandi’s position
Meaning and impact of the display
Critics of the poster
Academics, rights groups and several students criticised the poster’s description of caste-based duties, particularly its statement that Shudras should serve higher classes.
IIT Mandi’s position
IIT Mandi said it condemns caste-based discrimination and religious bigotry and does not endorse the poster or the event.
Institutional responsibility
Critics of the poster
Several students claimed the poster was displayed with the support of the institute administration.
IIT Mandi’s position
The registrar said the event was not officially organised by IIT Mandi and that the institute neither endorsed nor contributed to it.
- Institute
- Indian Institute of Technology Mandi
- Poster title
- “Bhagavad Gita — The Timeless Wisdom”
- Controversial claim
- The poster said Shudras had a duty to “serve higher classes.”
- Display location
- Near the IIT Mandi auditorium
- Institute position
- IIT Mandi said it neither organised, endorsed nor contributed to the event.
- Response
- The institute constituted a committee to enquire into the matter.
- Stated values
- Equality, social justice, scientific temper and opposition to casteism and religious bigotry.