[ Ndtv ] IIT Bombay Fines Students ₹ 1.2 Lakh Each Over Ramayana Skit

The text is about a controversy at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, where eight students were fined for staging a play titled ‘Raahovan,’ believed to be a parody of the Hindu epic Ramayana, during the institute’s Performing Arts Festival (PAF) on March 31. The play was accused of having derogatory references to Hindu beliefs and deities, and of mocking cultural values under the guise of “promoting feminism”.

The institute imposed fines of ₹ 1.2 lakh each on four students, which is almost the same as a semester’s tuition fee, and ₹ 40,000 each on four other students. Additional sanctions were imposed on graduating students, including a ban from the institute’s gymkhana awards, and junior students were debarred from hostel facilities. The penalties are due on July 20, 2024, at the office of the Dean of Student Affairs.

The controversy gained traction on social media when the ‘IIT B for Bharat’ group denounced the play, alleging that the students misused academic freedom to ridicule revered figures. The group welcomed the disciplinary action taken by the IIT Bombay administration and urged the administration to establish guidelines to ensure that no religion is ridiculed under the guise of freedom of expression on campus.

However, some have condemned the institute’s decision as an attack on freedom of expression. One person wrote, “I had always heard that educational institutions should be safe spaces, safe for voicing opinions. Alas, even IITs are no longer safe spaces.” Another person argued that students should not be fined in colleges for being disrespectful to any religion and that colleges should be places where one can freely mock religion. They urged IIT Bombay to take back the fines.

The Performing Arts Festival is an annual cultural event at IIT Bombay, known for showcasing student talent in various art forms.

Source: Conversation with Copilot
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