Video shows students raising caste slogans at Ashoka University

Ashoka University had earlier made headlines for its faculty members’ political views.

Students of Ashoka University in Haryana raised casteist slogans on the campus, triggering a lot of questions and criticism on social media. As multiple videos of slogans chanting in university corridors surfaced on X (formerly Twitter) – most of them directed at Brahmins and Banias – the students’ actions were widely condemned.

The university said in a statement that it “takes very seriously free speech and vigorous debate, but also mutual respect.”

“The university will take all necessary steps to ensure that peace and harmony on campus are not disrupted.”

Ashoka University, established in 2014, had earlier made headlines for the political views of its faculty, including Pratap Bhanu Mehta and Arvind Subramanian (Arvind Subramanian) Exited in March 2021.

But unlike Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jamia Millia Islamia University or Delhi University, these students have kept a low profile.

Read | Faculty’s research paper lands Ashoka University in political hot water

After a video of students chanting slogans like “We need caste census” and “Brahmin-Baniyawaad ​​Murdabad” was released, Infosys’ former chief financial officer (CFO) Mohandas Pai posted a message on X questioning Ashoka University Why is there so much caste hatred.

His post read:

This is very very shocking if this is true why there is so much caste hatred in India @ashoka university ?will @sbikh If true, please take action to stop this hate? @dpradhanbjp Should the government investigate why this hatred is prevalent? How do universities keep quiet? https://t.co/7hEGtcNfvv

— Mohandas Pai (@TVMohandasPai) March 27, 2024

The university said in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) that it “regrets expressions of hate directed at any individual or group.”

“Ashoka University’s guidelines for the protection of freedom of expression clearly state that such freedom of expression is not unlimited and requires respect for the rights and sentiments of others. This is vital to maintaining the community spirit of Ashoka. Behavior that makes the atmosphere intimidating therefore , threats or hostility towards an individual or group will be considered a serious offense and will be subject to University disciplinary action.”