“Brahmin-Baniyawaad…” Haryana Ashoka University cracks down on casteist sloganeering

Ashoka University in Haryana's Sonipat has issued a statement addressing the videos that surfaced on social media, showing students making casteist remarks on campus. The university expressed its disapproval of expressions of hatred directed towards individuals or groups and emphasized the importance of mutual respect alongside freedom of expression. In response to the videos showing students chanting slogans such as "We need a caste census" and "Brahmin-Baniyawaad Murdabad," the institution reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a community spirit and ensuring that freedom of expression is exercised responsibly.

“Ashoka University attaches great value to freedom of expression and vigorous debate, but it also attaches great importance to mutual respect. The university deplores expressions of hatred directed against any individual or group,” said the university authorities in a statement, taking to social media platform “X”. “The University will take all measures necessary to ensure that peace and harmony in the campus are not disturbed,” added the post.

Highlighting its "Guidelines on Protecting Freedom of Expression," Ashoka University emphasized that such freedoms are not without limits and must respect the rights and sensitivities of others. The varsity authorities added that actions deemed intimidating, threatening, or hostile towards individuals or groups are considered serious offenses subject to disciplinary procedures.

The university responded after it faced severe backlash on social media after videos of students raising casteist slogans went viral, with various stakeholders condemning the incident. Notably, Mohandas Pai, Chief Financial Officer of Infosys, expressed shock at the videos and called for action to address the prevalence of caste hatred within Ashoka University. He urged the government and education minister Dharmendra Pradhan to intervene and address the issue, questioning the silence of universities in the face of such incidents. “This is very very shocking if true why is there so much caste hatred in @AshokaUniv? Will @sbikh Pl take action to stop such hatred, if true? @dpradhanbjp Govt should look into why such hatred prevails. How can universities keep quiet?” posted Pai on “X”.

Students at Ashoka University have been advocating for the establishment of an Equal Opportunity Cell, led by the university's Social Justice Forum (SJF). The forum, representing students from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds, aims to uphold the rights of minority groups and ensure equal opportunities for all members of the university community.​