IIT Mandi probes ‘Shudras serve higher classes’ poster; director blames some students’ interpretation
The controversy erupted over a poster titled “Bhagavad Gita - The Timeless Wisdom”, which was displayed outside the institute’s auditorium and divided society into Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras
The Indian Institute of Technology Mandi (IIT Mandi) is investigating a controversial poster on its campus that suggested members of the Shudra caste should "serve higher classes." The poster, displayed during Janmashtami celebrations on September 4, 2026, was attributed to student interpretation of the Bhagavad Gita by Director Laxmidhar Behera, who distanced the institute from the poster's contents.
Behera, who has a long association with teaching the Bhagavad Gita and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), instituted an enquiry committee to address the incident. He emphasized that the institute condemns any form of caste-based discrimination and is committed to equality and social justice. The poster, part of a student-led event, depicted the four varnas (Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras) and assigned roles to each, with Shudras described as serving higher classes.
Behera, who is also the founder of the proposed Bhaktivedanta University, claimed that ISKCON strongly opposes caste discrimination and that the institute is dedicated to promoting values of equality and social justice.
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