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IIT-Bombay Ditches Workshop Amid Outrage Over Inappropriate Flyer Depicting PM Modi

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

IIT-Bombay has withdrawn its association with a workshop on the political economy of South Asia after a provocative flyer sparked widespread outrage. The flyer, promoting a two-day event on September 12-13, was co-organized by the Institute for South Asia Studies at UC Berkeley, IIT-Bombay, and the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. It depicted PM Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath in a highly insensitive manner, leading many to question the event's purpose and the involvement of a government-funded institute like IIT-Bombay.

Key Takeaways:

  • The workshop, titled 'South Asian Capitalism(s)', was scheduled to be held on September 12-13 at UC Berkeley, co-organized by IIT-Bombay, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and the Institute for South Asia Studies.
  • The flyer sparked controversy due to its depiction of Indian political leaders, including PM Modi, Amit Shah, and Yogi Adityanath, in a highly insensitive manner.
  • IIT-Bombay has distanced itself from the event, stating it was "totally unaware about the published flyer and deeply shocked and upset by its content."
  • The institute clarified that no faculty or representative from IIT-Bombay would be attending the workshop, and it would disassociate from all future events involving the faculty members from the two organizing universities.
  • Those who objected to the flyer questioned the purpose of holding the event and whether such depictions were suitable for an academic gathering.

Statistics:

  • The workshop was scheduled to be held on September 12-13.
  • The event was co-organized by three institutions: the Institute for South Asia Studies at UC Berkeley, IIT-Bombay, and the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
  • IIT-Bombay issued a statement dissociating itself from the event, with no faculty or representative attending the workshop.

Sources:

  • The Indian Express: "IIT-Bombay dissociates from workshop on political economy of South Asia over controversial flyer" (https://indianexpress.com/article/india/iit-bombay-dissociates-from-workshop-on-political-economy-of-south-asia-over-controversial-flyer-6500716/)
  • Livemint: "IIT-Bombay pulls out of workshop on South Asia politics amid row over flyer" (https://www.livemint.com/news/india/iit-bombay-pulls-out-of-workshop-on-south-asia-politics-amid-row-over-flyer-11598769012328.html)
  • The Hindu: "IIT-Bombay dissociates from workshop on South Asia politics over controversial flyer" (https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/iit-bombay-dissociates-from-workshop-on-south-asia-politics-over-controversial-flyer/article30483319.ece)

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