IIT Bombay slaps fine of Rs 1.20 lakh on student for play 'insulting' Ramayana

NEW DELHI: Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) has slapped a fine of Rs 1.20 lakh on a student involved in the play 'Raahovan,' which depicted the Ramayana in a derogatory manner. The disciplinary action committee has also “barred the student from any recognition from any of the gymkhana awards”.

The play was performed during the Performing Arts Festival (PAF) on March 31. Soon, videos of the play were widely circulated on social media. It sparked debates between artistic freedom and religious sentiments as previously Pondicherry University students were criticized for depicting Hindu deities in an offensive manner.

In the play, the names of characters were slightly changed and the storyline aimed to depict a 'feminist' version of Ramayana. The controversy erupted after some found the play objectionable and a mockery of religious sentiments.

The play made derogatory insinuations to Hindu beliefs and dubbed Lord Ram as ‘devil’ and the actors who performed as Goddess Sita, Lord Ram, and Laxman were seen using inappropriate language and gestures.

Sharing the official notice issued by the registrar on X, IIT B for Bharat welcomed the disciplinary action taken by the administration against those involved in the play 'Raahovan,' which depicted the “Ramayana in a derogatory manner”.

“These students abused their academic freedom to mock Lord Ram, Mata Sita, and Lord Laxman. We urge the IIT Bombay administration to establish guidelines to ensure that no religion is ridiculed under the guise of freedom of expression on the campus in any form,” it said.

“Also, An apology letter regarding this action and the objectionable PAF event is expected from the @iitbombay administration to the @iitbombay community,” it claimed.

“According to the sources, two different punishments were executed, one for the students who are passing this July and another for the regular students,” it added.