Talk by Kapil Mishra sparks criticism in IIT-B circles

Twitter users criticise IIT-B for having the controversial BJP leader as a speaker; it is not clear if online event’s organising body is a genuine students’ or faculty collective from the institute

An online talk by BJP leader Kapil Mishra on Sunday sparked a controversy in the IIT-Bombay circles and led to criticism on Twitter. The talk titled, ‘Challenges to Indian Culture and Role of Educated Youth in National Renaissance’ by Kapil Mishra was organised by IIT B for Bharat.

While a poster of the talk was tweeted by Mishra, there is no clarity on whether IIT B for Bharat is actually an IIT Bombay students’ or faculty collective. Mishra also shared a link to a recording of the talk.

Many retweeted Mishra’s tweet and made critical comments against IIT Bombay. “When a bigot like Kapil Mishra becomes the guiding light for educated students, we know we have messed up,” read a tweet. “As an IIT Bombay alum this is disgusting. His stance against CAA protesters and his political opportunism are well documented. @iitbombay please cancel this interaction,” read another tweet. “Since when is lynching and rioting is part of your curriculum?” read another tweet.

A student from the institute said, “We have never seen this organising body on campus. In fact, their online presence, too, can be tracked only from March 2021.” Another student said, “There might be minimal support from a few students or faculty members to this group, considering the pro-right-wing individuals on campus. However, it appears to be a collective majorly influenced by outside forces, like the pro-CAA protest held in the past.”

While there have been reactions in the past by opposing students’ groups, no such official comment has been made this time. A member from a student body said, “Currently, many of us are focused on the pandemic. Information about this program came to us through the tweet and not from the IIT Bombay circle. This means either this was kept under wraps till the last minute to avoid any reaction or this is not an event by a real student body.”

There was no comment from the institute’s administration till the time of going to press.

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