IIT Mandi investigates controversial varna poster

IIT Mandi has launched an inquiry into a poster displayed on campus during Janmashtami celebrations on September 4. The poster outlined the four varnas, stating that Brahmanas spread God’s message, Kshatriyas protect society and spirituality, Vaishyas drive the economy, and Shudras serve the higher classes.

The institute has confiscated the poster and intends to refer the matter to the police following a fact-finding exercise. A nine-member committee, led by Professor Viswanath Balakrishna and including six members from the institute’s reservation cell, is investigating the incident. The student responsible for the poster has not yet been identified.

Director Laxmidhar Behera stated that the poster was a student-led initiative and emphasized that the institute stands firmly against caste discrimination. Behera noted that varna can be understood in terms of guna and karma rather than birth, citing his association with the Bhagavad Gita and Iskcon as evidence of a theological perspective that opposes caste-based discrimination.