The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B) has issued a clarification after facing criticism for being named as a co-sponsor of a controversial academic workshop on “South Asian Capitalism(s),” scheduled for September 12–13 at the University of California, Berkeley.
The workshop, jointly presented with UC Berkeley and the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, drew backlash over its promotional poster, which featured Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath under the caption “WE FOOL YOU.” The poster also depicted business leaders Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani as part of a “We Rule You” category and portrayed the Indian Army under “We Shoot at You.”
IIT Bombay Issues Statement
Responding to the controversy, IIT Bombay said it was not consulted about the flyer and had no role in its design or content.
“A post regarding a flyer of a workshop on South Asian Capitalism was brought to the attention of the Institute authorities. This workshop is to be held at University of Berkeley in partnership with UC Berkeley and University of Massachusetts-Amherst for young scholars. IIT Bombay has a project related to the New Political Economy Initiative. However, we were totally unaware about the published flyer,” the institute said in an official statement.
The institute added that it had directed the organisers to immediately take down the flyer from social media and remove IIT Bombay’s name from all event-related material. The programme details have also been taken off the website of the New Political Economy Initiative (NPEI), which had earlier been listed as a co-organiser.
IIT Bombay clarified that no faculty or official from the institute would be attending the conference. “The Institute was not at all consulted about the flyer. We are deeply shocked and upset by its content,” the statement said.
The institute further announced that it would cease future associations with the faculty members from UC Berkeley and the University of Massachusetts-Amherst involved in the workshop.
IIT Bombay also confirmed that a further internal review will be conducted into the matter to determine how its name came to be linked with the event without institutional approval.
A post regarding a flyer of a workshop on South Asian Capitalism was brought to the attention of the Institute authorities. This workshop is to be held at University of Berkeley in partnership with UC Berkeley and University of Massachusetts-Amherst for young scholars.
IIT Bombay… pic.twitter.com/BhMZV8A4Ds— IIT Bombay (@iitbombay) September 10, 2025
The clarification comes amid rising political pressure, with calls directed at Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to explain how a taxpayer-funded institute became associated with what many have described as a politically charged foreign event.
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