Watch the viral video from Ashoka University, where students were captured chanting slogans against Brahmin and Baniyavad in a viral video
Students at Ashoka University expressed dissatisfaction with what they perceive as biased actions by university officials, accusing them of being influenced by right-wing ideologies. Tensions escalated when the Democracy Collective, a student group, organized a screening of Anand Patwardhan’s documentary ‘Ram ke Naam’ on January 22, coinciding with the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple.
“Brahmin-Baniyavad murdabad,” slogans raised by Ashoka University students, video goes viral
Meanwhile another video from the university has now gone viral, gone where a group of students are seen marching in the campus as they raise chants of “Brahmanvad and Baniyavad Muradabad.”
Ashoka University, situated in the Sonepat district of Haryana, approximately 50 kilometers away from Delhi, is currently embroiled in a heated debate over the matter of conducting a caste census. The controversy sparked when students initiated a sit-in protest outside the university gates following a demonstration held within the campus. Footage circulating online depicts students chanting slogans, advocating for the implementation of a caste-based survey.
Hateful slogans against Brahmin and Baniya at Ashoka University is unacceptable
👉Previously anti- #Brahmins & #Baniya communities slogans threatening violence at #JNU
👉My #RTI query reveals no investigation or punishment for culprits. #Stop_Targeting_ब्राह्मण_बनिया #JNUSU pic.twitter.com/9GdDJ3Qezk
— Dr Vivek Pandey (@Vivekpandey21) March 27, 2024
What happened inside the Ashoka University?
Before the screening, a university official allegedly approached a member of a group and, alongside others, pressured them to take down posters promoting the event. The group asserted that despite the university citing rule violations to halt the screening, they themselves arranged a religious ceremony featuring aarti and bhajan to commemorate the event.
Students contended that this action went against the Residence Life Policy, which prohibits religious content or rituals during festival events, highlighting instead their cultural significance. Director Patwardhan’s online statement further solidified the students’ resolve.
A member of the Social Justice Forum criticized Ashoka University, portraying it as an institution established on land provided by specific Baniya founders, where predominantly Bengali Brahmin professors wield influence, with a minority representation of other Brahmins and some white faculty. The forum demanded a caste survey to evaluate the social demographics of both students and faculty.
💥Notice the change?@Iyervval has removed Brahmin-bashing/hating from his twitter profile description just weeks before today's incident at Ashoka university. pic.twitter.com/zc2TBVSetf
— Dr. Shah (@ankitatIIMA) March 27, 2024
How Ashok University responded to the protests?
Following continuous protests by a faction of Ashoka University students advocating for a campus-wide caste census and the formation of an anti-discrimination body, the university administration has chosen to establish an Equal Opportunity cell. This initiative aims to bolster the institution’s policies on diversity.
The Equal Opportunity Cell is set to play a significant role in enhancing existing practices and policies regarding inclusion, diversity, and sensitization at the University. Comprising faculty, staff, and elected student representatives, it will soon become operational, tasked with making recommendations aimed at improving these aspects within the institution.
They don’t hate Hindus, they hate Brahmins, Kshatriya and Baniyas only. See how openly they are abusing the whole community in a class. This all happening at Ashoka University. No action has been taken against these casteist students. Instead of the SC-ST act, these three castes… pic.twitter.com/hNUyRbwr9H
— Shubham Sharma (@Shubham_fd) March 27, 2024