IIT Kanpur-ISKCON MoU on student well-being triggers controversy, institute deletes post

A two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Indian Institute of Technology, IIT Kanpur and ISKCON for voluntary programmes focused on student well-being has triggered controversy. Some questioned the involvement of a religious organisation in such initiatives, which eventually prompted the institute to delete its announcement from social media.

IIT Kanpur had announced the signing of the MoU in a post on X on August 29, saying it provided a framework for ISKCON to conduct voluntary educational and well-being programmes for interested students.

"Under the collaboration, ISKCON may offer a series of certified courses covering areas such as self-management, wellness, personal development, stress management and self-esteem. Each course will comprise eight one-hour sessions, with participation entirely voluntary," the institute had said. The announcement drew criticism on social media, with students, alumni and other users questioning the collaboration. The institute deleted the post on August 31.

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MoU would continue: IIT Kanpur Director

IIT Kanpur Director Professor Manindra Agrawal, however, defended the collaboration, saying the MoU was signed at the initiative of the students' body. "We run multiple programmes to help students on campus who are facing difficulties. Any outside organisation which offers help, we are open to taking it," he said.

Agrawal declined to comment on the deletion of the social media post but said the MoU would continue. The controversy comes amid a wider debate over student mental health and support systems on campuses following the death by suicide of an IIT Delhi student.

(With PTI inputs)