IIT Delhi Convocation Row: Owaisi Criticizes Vedic Chants Mandate

AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has strongly condemned reports suggesting that students at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi were instructed to stand during the chanting of Vedic mantras at the institution’s recent convocation. Owaisi asserted that such directives are in direct conflict with the provisions of the Indian Constitution. He specifically highlighted Article 28, which mandates that no religious instruction shall be provided in any educational institution wholly maintained out of State funds, arguing that the inclusion of religious chants in a formal ceremony violates this secular principle.

Beyond the religious chants, Owaisi also lashed out at reports that students were allegedly told to 'bow' before Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the event. The AIMIM leader characterized these instructions as an affront to the scientific temper and the dignity of the students. He stated that national interest lies in standing against the 'wrong steps' of the government rather than forced symbolic gestures. The convocation, which featured the Prime Minister as the chief guest, has now become a focal point for debates on institutional autonomy and secularism.

This controversy underscores a growing tension regarding the integration of cultural and religious traditions into official functions at India's premier technical institutes. Critics like Owaisi argue that such practices undermine the pluralistic nature of the Indian state and may alienate students from diverse backgrounds. For the academic community, this incident raises questions about the protocol followed during high-profile visits and the extent to which religious rituals can be performed at state-funded educational events. The institution has yet to release a detailed official clarification regarding the specific instructions given to students.