{
  "id": 342524,
  "title": "‘Students Told How Low To Bow To PM Modi, Stand During Vedic Mantras’: Owaisi Questions IIT Delhi Convocation Protocol",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/students-told-how-low-to-bow-to-pm-modi-stand-during-vedic-mantras",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-09T03:21:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/students-told-how-low-to-bow-to-pm-modi-stand-during-vedic-mantras-owaisi-questions-iit-delhi-convocation-protocol"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has criticized the protocols used during IIT Delhi’s 57th convocation, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended and awarded degrees to top-performing students. In an interview with reporters in Hyderabad, Owaisi alleged that students were instructed on the proper depth of their bow while meeting the Prime Minister, as well as the expectation to stand while Vedic mantras were recited. Owaisi raised concerns about the constitutionality of these practices, pointing to Article 28 of the Indian Constitution, which governs religious instruction in institutions funded by the state. The AIMIM leader invoked Article 51A(h) of the Constitution, emphasizing the importance of cultivating a scientific mindset, humanism, and a spirit of inquiry among citizens. Owaisi urged students throughout India to stand against what they perceive as wrong actions by the government, framing the issue within the broader context of national interest and the responsibility to challenge actions perceived as detrimental to the country’s well-being.",
  "summary": "AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has criticised the protocols reportedly followed during IIT Delhi’s 57th convocation, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the ceremony and awarded medals to top-performing students. Speaking to reporters in Hyderabad, Owaisi claimed that students were allegedly instructed on how low they should bow their heads while meeting the Prime Minister. He also…",
  "key_points": [
    "AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi criticized IIT Delhi’s convocation protocols.",
    "Students instructed on bow depth to PM Modi, standing during Vedic mantras.",
    "Owaisi raised constitutionality concerns per Article 28 and humanism per Article 51A(h)."
  ],
  "editors_take": "This incident highlights a clash between perceived governmental pressure on students to conform to certain traditional practices and the constitutional principles of promoting a scientific mindset and secularism in publicly funded institutions.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}