IIT Gandhinagar Faces Backlash Over Alleged Promotion Of Islamic Theology Through Student Research

IIT Gandhinagar faces backlash over student research on Islam; institute defends academic freedom amid allegations of ideological bias.

IIT Gandhinagar Faces Backlash Over Promotion Of Islamic Theology Through Student Research

Source : X

The Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) has found itself at the center of a growing controversy after selected thesis topics from its School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) were circulated on social media, leading to allegations of promoting Islamic theology and "Islamisation" of the campus.

The matter surfaced on April 28 when a user on social media platform X, known by the handle Eminent Intellectual, posted a list of student research topics, making sarcastic remarks that implied an ideological agenda. “This will make you proud. India has its own AI finally! IIT Gandhinagar has come up with this unique architecture that will beat ChatGPT and Deepseek through the power of  Kerala. It’s called Deepfaith. Thank you @iitgn for using your taxpayer funded ‘autonomy’ just like our Supreme Court to make this country a better place for us all. *AI = Ayatollah’s Intellect,” the post read.

The highlighted research themes included studies on the indigenous ecological knowledge of residents from a Muslim-majority locality, Islamic rituals, and Islamic clothing. While these are typical areas of study in fields like anthropology and cultural studies, critics on social media interpreted them as ideological promotion rather than academic exploration.

The situation intensified when the RSS-affiliated student group, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), released a public statement on Sunday. Expressing concern, the group noted a “troubling disregard for the cultural and national sentiments of students — particularly those from the Hindu community.”

A student from the HSS department, requesting anonymity, defended the academic intent behind the research. “Students do anthropological and social studies on themes related to religious practices and rituals. About 20 students have studied Hindu traditions like the Brahminical system, Vedas and temple management. We have been targeted for no fault of ours,” the student said.
IITGN officials also pushed back against the allegations.

Manish Kumar, Associate Dean of Student Development, remarked: “Anybody can raise an issue on any research topic or findings. However, established ways for engaging academically could have been pursued. We welcome feedback and constructive criticism through appropriate means.”

Adding to the controversy, screenshots of an internal email from Associate Professor Nishaant Choksi were circulated online. The email addressed the leak of thesis details and warned students of disciplinary action. “It has come to our attention that someone has been circulating screenshots of internal HSS emails about MASC thesis topics, including the names of students and supervisors, to individuals who are posting them out of context on social media in a derogatory, offensive, and potentially dangerous manner.”

Calling the act “a breach of our honor code,” Choksi continued: “This is a breach of our honor code, and any students found engaging in such activities will be reported to SSAC.”