News Special Reports

From Innovation To Indoctrination: The Hijacking Of IITs Through ‘Humanities’ 

June 11, 2025
The Commune

The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), which produces world-class technocrats, scientists, thinkers and innovators, are increasingly becoming breeding grounds for leftist, Marxist and extremist ideologues who have nothing to do with science, innovation, or nation-building.

Instead of encouraging critical thinking and technological excellence, a section of faculty and students are now focused on pushing communist, revisionist, anti-Hindu and anti-national narratives. Their aim appears not to create knowledge but to corrupt young minds, glorify failed revolutions, and transform these institutions into echo chambers of leftist dogma.

All of this is being done under the convenient shield of “freedom of speech and expression.” Professors who were hired to teach engineering and technology now indulge in rewriting history, distorting facts, and indoctrinating students with ideological poison. The result? A decline in academic seriousness and a rise in polarization with a politicized campus culture.

The following examples illustrate how these institutions have become leftist strongholds, where faculty indoctrination has hijacked the academic space, leading to an unhealthy and unproductive learning environment.

IIT Gandhinagar

Promoting Islamist Theology

In late April 2025, the Humanities Department of IIT Gandhinagar was under the spotlight. You wonder why? For promoting ideologically charged research topics, many of which center around Islamic theology. The situation has sparked national concern, with calls for the Ministry of Education and the IIT Council to investigate the use of taxpayer-funded resources for what critics are calling “ideological indoctrination.”

MA-level thesis topics such as:

  • “Robes of Authority: Sunni Ulama, Sartorial Tradition, and Embodied Piety in Malabar”
  • “Fishing With Faith: Islam, Indigenous Knowledge and Ecological Sustainability in Lakshadweep”
  • “From Gods to Jinn: Ontological Rewriting and the Islamization of Spirits in Kerala”

…have raised eyebrows across the academic and public spectrum.

These projects, approved by faculty members including Nishaant Choksi, Rosa Maria Perez, Madhumita Sengupta, and Sharada Visweswara, have been criticized for veering away from academic neutrality and into religious glorification. Hindu students have alleged discrimination, stating they were discouraged or even threatened when questioning the ideological tilt of the department.

An internal email by Prof. Choksi, warning students of “consequences” for leaking information about these theses, has further fueled claims of intimidation and lack of transparency.

Administrative Silence And Selective Permissions

Adding to the discontent, several students report a pattern of selective administrative decisions that they believe demonstrate institutional bias. For instance, permission for a candlelight vigil in memory of jawans killed in a terror attack in Pahalgam was reportedly denied, while events perceived as sympathetic to the Palestinian cause were allowed in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attack.

Diwali celebrations allegedly faced restrictions, while events critical of Hindu beliefs—like readings from Riddles in Hinduism on Mahashivratri—were permitted without issue.

A student group named Awaam has come under scrutiny for its programming, which has included lectures on “Brahminical Oppression of Women” and birthday celebrations for EV Ramasamy Naicker, a controversial Dravidianist demagogue known for his anti-Hindu rhetoric.

Associate Professor Dr. Amit Arora Supporting Separatist Umar Khalid And Hamas Sympathizers

Associate Professor Dr. Amit Arora, a faculty member in the Department of Materials Engineering, recently drew public backlash for his controversial political views shared on social media. Though trained in numerical modeling, additive manufacturing, and friction stir welding, Arora reportedly used his now-deleted X account to support controversial figures such as Umar Khalid—an accused in the 2020 Delhi riots case—and to mock India’s diplomatic actions during Operation Sindoor. He also appeared to sympathize with Hamas supporters among American students while lamenting Islamophobia.

Critics argue that such behavior is unbecoming of a professor in a taxpayer-funded technical institute and raises serious concerns about the ideological environment being cultivated for young engineering students. 

In one post, responding to a leftist handle that is known to spew venom on traditional Indian/Hindu practices, on the topic of using the name Bharat instead of the name India, Prof Arora replied, “Bharat is their Brahminical, oppressive, and bigoted version of the actual united secular India.” – a very typical reponse by a leftist, Prof Arora proving over and over again his loyalties towards the left by displaying hate for anything Indic or traditional as well as tagging everything as “Brahminical” as is expected of a true-blue leftist.

Serious Allegations Of Grooming Culture

Concerns extend beyond ideological leanings. Allegations of inappropriate professor-student relationships, including instances of professors drinking with female students and even marrying them, have been quietly circulating in academic circles. While most lack hard evidence, a few past incidents—such as a dismissed professor from IIT Bombay—have given these whispers some weight. The normalization of such behavior in elite campuses is being viewed with increasing alarm by both parents and academic watchdogs.

IIT Bombay

IIT Bombay Invites Leftist Theatre Artist, Glorifies Hamas & Gun Culture

The Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) Department at IIT Bombay landed in controversy after inviting Sudhanva Deshpande, a radical left-leaning actor and director associated with the Jana Natya Manch (Janam)—a Delhi-based leftist theatre collective. Deshpande, during a virtual lecture hosted by Professor Sharmishtha Saha, made highly contentious remarks praising Hamas-linked figures and defending armed insurgency as a form of resistance.

In his address, Deshpande recounted his visit to Palestine in 2015, where he met Zakaria Zubeidi, a known militant figure. Zubeidi was the former head of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades in Jenin, a group labeled a terrorist organization by numerous global entities including Israel, the European Union, the United States, Canada, Japan, and New Zealand. He has been implicated in the 2002 Beit She’an terrorist attack, which left six civilians dead, and was arrested again in 2019 for orchestrating shooting attacks on civilian targets in the West Bank.

Despite Zubeidi’s known terror affiliations, Deshpande described the encounter in admiring terms. He further quoted Ghassan Kanafani, a Marxist-Leninist figure associated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)—another internationally recognized terrorist organization. Deshpande cited Kanafani’s infamous assertion, “In order to have liberation, we need guns… It has to be an armed struggle.”

Doubling down on this narrative, Deshpande appeared to justify the normalization of armed conflict, saying, “If we don’t have the culture to go with the guns, the guns will turn on us… we will start killing each other.”

He described the Palestinian assault on Israel not as terrorism but as a “freedom struggle,” stating, “There has never been a freedom struggle in the history of colonialism that has been 100% non-violent… What you see in Palestine today is a continuation of that same model of resistance.”

His statements have triggered sharp criticism from academic observers and civil society, who argue that IIT Bombay, a premier taxpayer-funded STEM institution, has allowed politically motivated and ideologically extreme voices to dominate platforms meant for academic engagement.

Double Standards of ‘Secularism’

Similarly, IIT Bombay faced criticism over its contradictory stance on food segregation after the administration was seen facilitating elaborate meal arrangements for Ramadan while previously “refusing” its approval for vegetarian-only tables, calling it “exclusionary and casteist.”

An internal email sent by the General Secretary (Health Advisory HA) on behalf of “Ramadan volunteers” informed students about Sehri (pre-dawn meal) arrangements for those observing the fast. Hostels were divided into zones for easy access, and meals would be delivered to female hostels based on headcount. Students interested in availing of the facility were asked to register.

However, this move ignited accusations of selective religious favoritism. IIT-B buckled under pressure for a decision to allocate just a few tables for vegetarian students.

In 2023, posters marking “vegetarians only” seating areas appeared in a hostel mess, triggering outrage from the Ambedkar Periyar Phule Study Circle (APPSC). The posters were torn down, and RTI inquiries later confirmed that IIT-B has no official policy allowing separate eating spaces. The administration followed up with a warning email, declaring that no student had the right to designate areas for specific food preferences.

Even though the vegetarian-only tables were open to all castes and religions, the move was labeled “discriminatory” and “a Brahminical imposition.” Some activist students even went as far as to deliberately consume non-vegetarian food at those tables in protest.

Yet, the same faculty and student groups that opposed vegetarian tables have raised no objections to Ramadan-specific dining arrangements. This has led to allegations that IIT-B selectively enforces its so-called secular principles—opposing dietary preferences linked to Hindu and Jain traditions while bending over backward to accommodate Islamic practices.

This extends beyond seating arrangements. While vegetarian tables were deemed casteist, halal food remains unquestioned on campus. Critics argue that if separate tables for vegetarians were seen as divisive, then so should halal-only meat, which actively excludes non-Muslim butchers. However, IIT-B faculty and leftist student groups remain silent on this inconsistency.

One of those leftist “professors” who was at the forefront of these anti-Hindu/Jain activities was Suryakant Waghmore.

However, with Ramadan meal arrangements being officially coordinated by the administration, many ask why IIT Bombay applies different rules depending on the religion in question.

Assistant Professor Supporting Hamas Sympathizer

Anupam Guha, a professor at IIT Bombay, came under scrutiny after voicing support for Indian American student Megha Vemuri, who was recently barred from attending her graduation ceremony at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Vemuri, the president of MIT’s Class of 2025, was reportedly prevented from participating after delivering an anti-Israel speech during an official event on 29 May 2025.

In a post on X, Guha commented, “That MIT student has courage and did an admirable thing. At her age, I might not have gone that far.” His statement quickly gained widespread attention and sparked debate online.

Following this, Guha has come under scrutiny not just for this specific statement, but also for his broader history of political commentary and activism. He frequently used his social media to promote leftist political ‘extremist’ ideologies, especially through his focus on humanities and technology policy.

Support For Anti-Sterlite Agitation 2018

Guha has previously supported several controversial protests, including the 2018 anti-Sterlite agitation in Tamil Nadu. That movement led to the permanent closure of the Sterlite copper plant after violent demonstrations resulted in the deaths of 13 people. The shutdown significantly impacted India’s copper production, turning the country from a net exporter to a net importer.

In his post, he wrote, “Capitalism cannot function without State terrorism. Perfect example of that is the Sterlite protest. My solidarity with the tens of thousands of brave protestors resisting for years that copper smelting plant resulting in nine martyrs. Down with Vedanta!”

Criticizing Abrogation Of Article 370

In addition, Guha has been vocal in his opposition to the amendment of Article 370 in 2019, which ended Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status. He described the move as “constitutionally illegitimate.”

In his post, he stated, “Read this sharp and detailed explainer by @MaLawdy on why what happened is most probably constitutionally illegitimate firstpost.com/india/understa…”

Anti-CAA & NRC

His social media activity during the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) protests in 2020 also drew attention. Guha actively participated in campus demonstrations and encouraged IIT Bombay students to join a march “to save the Constitution.”

He stated, “For the last 8 days the faculty, students, staff and people in IITB have protested in a row, against NRC-CAA-NPR and against the brutality done on various campuses. There were teach ins, songs, and discussions. Today will be the last protest and a march. Come in large numbers.”

Distortive Propaganda with Leftists

Furthermore, Guha has written so much that reflects Marxist and separatist perspectives on the Kashmir issue, including writings by authors like Aatina Nasir Malik and Khadeeja Raina, which explore themes of childhood and violence in conflict zones.

Anupam Guha, also expressed strong opposition to the use of the term ‘tukde tukde gang’, going so far as to label those who use it as akin to terrorists in his view.

Guha wrote, “Not just an enabler. A participant in stochastic terrorism.” In another post he stated, “They are quite adept at destroying data. Everything must be archived. And yes, one day the whole lot will be prosecuted.”

Advocating Radical Communism

Guha is also associated with the Kosambi Circle, a Communist group he founded that explores Marxist and revolutionary political thought. The group engages with works by thinkers such as M.N. Roy and M.P.T. Acharya.

In related threads, Guha’s involvement with The Collective, a communist organization, is also noted. He has been a speaker at their events, including a workshop held on International Working Women’s Day that focused on systemic issues in labor and employment.

The Collective also had a problem with Maoist neutralisation that took place recently. They called it ‘Adivasi genocide’!. On their handle, they wrote, “We will not forget the extrajudicial killing of CPI (Maoist) General Secretary Com. Nambala Keshava Rao (Basavaraj) and 26 martyrs amid call for ceasefire and peace talks! Stop Adivasi genocide for corporate plunder in the name of Operation Kagaar!”

Anupam Guha openly identifies as a communist and is accused of using his academic platform to advocate for radical ideological positions.

 

IIT Bombay PhD Scholar Accused Of Sexual Assault

A minor (then 17) accused Adarsh Priyadarshi, a leftist IIT Bombay PhD scholar, of sexual assault and forcibly kissing her despite refusal. The victim, now going public after failed private resolutions, alleges Priyadarshi (then 24) still retains his academic platform and left-liberal connections unchecked. She claims she engaged with him due to shared political circles before the incident. Despite her prior warnings in these circles, no action was taken, forcing her to expose him publicly. Priyadarshi has blocked her on social media.

It is not just these two IITs, there’s more!

IIT Guwahati

Student Declares ISIS Affiliation

In March 2024, Tauseef Ali Farooqui, a biotechnology student at IIT Guwahati, was detained by Assam Police after he publicly declared allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS) in a disturbing post on LinkedIn. His post described India as a “land of non-believers,” and he issued an ultimatum for conversion to Islam or the threat of consequences. This triggered swift action by state and central security agencies.

 

In his open letter, Farooqui denounced the Indian Constitution and claimed loyalty solely to Allah. He vowed to migrate Muslims to the ISIS-controlled Khorasan Province and called upon “non-believers” to confront him, declaring that all land belonged to Allah. He warned those who failed to repent would face dire outcomes—language that drew serious concern from intelligence authorities.

Assam’s Special Task Force (STF) launched an immediate operation. Additional SP Kalyan Pathak confirmed that surveillance was activated at the airport, but Farooqui was eventually traced to Hajo, a town near Guwahati. He was taken into custody and is currently being interrogated. Authorities noted his preference for isolation and signs of potential radicalization.

This arrest came just days after Assam Police apprehended Haris Farooqi, one of the most wanted ISIS operatives in India, on 20 March 2024. Farooqi, originally from Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, had been involved in ISIS-related activities since 2019. He was arrested alongside his associate Anurag Singh (alias Rehan)—a convert to Islam from Panipat, whose wife is a Bangladeshi national.

Farooqi is believed to have played a key role in radicalizing Indian youth and creating ISIS sleeper cells across multiple states, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Punjab, Goa, and Madhya Pradesh. He is also known to have handled recruitment, funding, and training in improvised explosive devices (IEDs), drawing parallels with Indian Mujahideen’s Yasin Bhatkal.

His name had surfaced earlier during the July 2023 arrest of Faizan Ansari, a 19-year-old AMU student, who reportedly encountered radical elements near the university. Intelligence agencies believe Farooqi ran covert online operations to circulate ISIS propaganda and enlist vulnerable youth for terrorist activities.

Assam’s Inspector General of Police (IGP), STF, Parthasarathi Mahanta, detailed the crackdown: “We began operations on 18  March after receiving intel about ISIS infiltration. On 19 March, a search was conducted in Dharmashala, Dhubri. These individuals were attempting to flee on foot. We had facial recognition data which confirmed their identities.”

He added, “Since the NIA already had pending cases against them, the suspects were handed over. We now aim to trace any sleeper cells they may have activated within Assam.”

IIT Madras

Student’s Woke Statement Sympathizing For Palestine

Dhananjay Balakrishnan, a student from the Mechanical Engineering department at IIT Madras, was awarded the Governor’s Prize during the institute’s convocation ceremony—an honor recognizing the best overall proficiency in both academics and extracurriculars among Dual Degree students.

Balakrishnan, who completed an interdisciplinary dual degree in Mechanical Engineering and Data Science, used his convocation address to make virtue-signaling and political statements. He began by saying he would be doing “a great injustice” to his beliefs if he stayed silent.

He said, “This is a call for action. There is a mass genocide going on in Palestine. People are dying in vast numbers and there is no visible end in sight. Why should we be bothered by this you ask? Because STEM as a field in itself has historically been used to advance the ulterior motives of the imperial powers such as Israel. As engineering students, we work very hard to get top-level jobs at tech giants which offer very lucrative pays and great benefits. However, these tech giants control various aspects of our lives today as you know better than anyone. Many of these prestigious companies are also directly and indirectly implicated in the war against Palestine by providing the state of Israel with technology, technology that is used to kill.”

Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle’s Notoriety

Ambedkar Periyar Study circle is a notorious group which while identifying itself as ‘group of socially concerned’ students who espouse ‘rational and secular’ thinking. However, APSC and its offshoots in other educational institutes like IIT-Bombay, IIT Delhi and JNU are more commonly known for spewing venom against Prime Minister Modi. The members of the group through social media also spread venom against other communities under the garb of ’empowerment’.

The Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle (APSC) organized a “beef festival” in 2017 to protest against the Union Government’s cattle trade restrictions.

Following this, PhD student R. Sooraj, who participated in the event and was associated with APSC, was allegedly present in the Jain mess. Media reports claimed Sooraj was attacked while dining in a vegetarian mess, and images of his injuries were widely shared.

However, the incident began with a verbal exchange after Manish questioned Sooraj’s presence at the Jain mess. According to reports, Sooraj made provocative remarks, which led to a fight where both students were injured—Manish sustained a fractured hand, while Sooraj had facial injuries. An IIT Madras spokesperson confirmed that both students were hurt in the altercation.

In September 2015, during the Jain festival Paryushan, there was meat ban in parts of the country for the eight days, as a mark of respect to the Jain community. Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle referred to it as ‘Jain appeasement’.

Institutes Of Technology Not Ideology

The creeping ideological takeover of IITs, under the guise of academic freedom, threatens to erode the very foundations of these institutions. Funded by the Indian taxpayer to produce engineers and scientists, they now risk being repurposed as hubs for activism, ideological grooming, and cultural subversion. It’s time the Ministry of Education, IIT Council, and concerned citizens demand transparency, neutrality, and a return to the original mandate of these elite campuses.

IITs were built to create engineers, innovators, pioneers. Not radical communists.

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