IIT Mandi's 'varna system' poster sparks debate over caste, institute orders inquiry

A poster carrying Bhagavad Gita verses and varna duties at IIT Mandi's Janmashtami event has triggered controversy. The institute has ordered an inquiry as students raise questions about equality and social harmony on campus.

In Short

• Poster citing varna duties at Janmashtami event sparked objections from students
• Institute director said the display lacked endorsement and ordered an inquiry
• Behera said campus spaces must not be used to disturb social harmony

A Janmashtami celebration at IIT Mandi triggered a controversy after a poster titled, "Bhagavad Gita – The Timeless Wisdom" carrying verses and references to the four varnas from the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita was displayed during an institute event on September 4. The poster displayed by the tech school referred to the concept of karma and described duties associated with Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras.

The poster uses illustrations to outline the duties assigned to the four varnas. It states that Brahmanas are expected to “spread God’s message”, Kshatriyas to “protect society and spirituality”, and Vaishyas to “drive the economy, support others”. It describes the role of Shudras as being to “serve higher classes”.

Images of the poster have since circulated on social media, with some students raising concerns over the inclusion of the varna system in an institute setting.

One of the passages highlighted on the poster, accessed by India Today, reads: “All of us have to perform karma to maintain ourselves – perform your prescribed duty, for doing so is better than not working. One cannot even maintain one's physical body without work.”

IIT MANDI DIRECTOR ORDERS INQUIRY INTO POSTER

IIT Mandi Director Professor Laxmidhar Behera, in an email forwarded to faculty and staff, said the poster had not been endorsed by the institute and announced an inquiry into the matter.

“I am shocked to know about a poster that was displayed in Janmashtami on September 4, 2026 that has not been endorsed by the institute in any manner,” Behera said. He said an inquiry committee had been constituted so that the institute campus was not used for anything that could affect social harmony.

“The Institute strongly condemns any form of caste-based discrimination,” he said. The inquiry is expected to establish who prepared the poster, how it was displayed and the circumstances under which it became part of the campus event.

The controversy has also raised questions about the process through which material for such events is prepared and approved. At this stage, it is not clear whether the poster went through any formal institutional review before being displayed.

ALUMNI RAISE CONCERNS

The issue has also prompted reactions from alumni of other IITs on social media. Some have questioned the manner in which religious and philosophical materials are presented to students and whether adequate care is taken when references to caste and social categories are included.

One IIT Kanpur alumnus, whose comment was accessed by India Today, alleged that similar discussions had taken place during his time at the institute. Such claims, however, could not be independently verified.

At IIT Mandi, a faculty member was also involved in the Janmashtami celebrations, where verses from the Bhagavad Gita were discussed with students. The professor's association with ISKCON has also become part of the discussion surrounding the event.

QUESTIONS AROUND CAMPUS INCLUSIVITY

The controversy has also revived a wider debate over the distinction, and perceived overlap, between the traditional varna framework and India’s caste system, particularly the extent to which notions of social hierarchy and prescribed roles have informed both.

IITs have institutional mechanisms and guidelines dealing with discrimination and matters concerning caste, religion and other forms of social identity.

The central issue in the IIT Mandi case will therefore be whether the poster's presentation crossed any institutional or disciplinary boundary, something the inquiry is expected to examine.

The use of varna-based descriptions in an educational setting can be particularly sensitive given India's history of caste discrimination and the continuing debate around social equality and affirmative action.

IIT Mandi is expected to issue a detailed media statement on the matter on Monday, according to sources. Until then, the institute's inquiry is likely to provide greater clarity on the origin of the poster, its approval process and the circumstances surrounding its display.

- Ends