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Meet IIT Bombay’s Humanities Dept Professor Suryakant Waghmore Who Mocked Hindus, Called Vegetarianism “Casteist” & A “Social Illness”

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iit bombay suryakant waghmore vegetarian militant casteist social illness vegetarianism

Professor Suryakant Waghmore, a faculty member in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B), has found himself at the center of mounting controversy over a series of public remarks, political commentary, and alleged ideological bias that critics say violate institutional norms and offend religious sentiments.

On 12 June 2025, IIT-B issued a formal show-cause notice to Prof. Waghmore for publishing a politically charged op-ed in the Times of India without obtaining prior clearance from the institute, as mandated under Schedule B, Paragraph 5(ii) of IIT-B’s code of conduct. The article, titled “Mumbai’s Big Cash Polls”, included his official designation and focused on the upcoming BMC elections. Instead of responding to the administration, Prof. Waghmore publicized the memo on social media, captioning it: “Another struggle for reforming the IIT system begins!”

Who Is Suryakant Waghmore?

Suryakant Waghmore is an Associate Professor of Sociology at IIT Bombay. His stated research interests include social exclusion, caste and violence, Dalit politics, institutional deprivation, and “Hinduism” — often framed through a highly critical and ideological lens.

His bio says, “My research has encompassed a mixed method approach to study social exclusion, politics at margins, policy processes and state-civil society relations. I have been using ethnography, with other qualitative research methods and descriptive statistics to underline how social exclusion operates in India. Ethnography has helped me keep my research outcomes nuanced. For instance while studying caste, I have focused on aspects of emotions – humour and anger to theorise caste better. This has helped me frame broader theoretical arguments on vernacular modernity in Indian subcontinent.

On the other hand I have also done policy relevant research that has helped corporations and state bodies. I have completed a research on Katkaris, one of the most vulnerable tribal groups in Maharashtra. While working with govt. and non-government development agencies over the years, I closely observed the influence of cultural politics on development processes and how state and non-state actors converge and disperse to institutionalize deprivation. This interface of culture, state and social exclusion processes has continued to be a major area of my research interest.

My research also explores social movements of traditionally marginalised groups and their attempts of achieving genuine civility and democracy in the Indian context. Current research interest includes a focus on changing forms of caste etiquette in modern India.”

Let’s take a look at his various ‘achievements’!

Mocking Hindus 

 

Controversy has long followed Waghmore, whose social media posts and public interviews regularly attack vegetarianism and Hindu practices. In a widely circulated post, he wrote, “I am hoping to be pure vegetarian in next life. Hope to have an arranged marriage, take dowry, drink cow urine, vote for BJP and attack Muslims. This life is dedicated to Ambedkarism.”

The comment, interpreted by many as mocking vegetarians, arranged marriages, and Hindu customs, prompted backlash, with users questioning whether such stereotyping is acceptable for an academic in a taxpayer-funded institution.

Mocking Hindu Practices And Promoting Anti-India Narratives

Waghmore’s disdain for Hindu traditions is well-documented. He once compared a PhD in humanities to “not drinking cow urine for cancer cure,” mocking Hindu beliefs.

He posted a photo from Europe with the caption, “Somewhere in Europe where… no one wears a sacred thread, no one takes dowry… where 94% of the population does not have arranged marriages, where women are not disallowed in kitchens and temples during their periods. Shall I go on?”

His research paper “The Dominant Victim” argues that upper-caste Hindus claim “imagined victimhood” to overshadow Dalit struggles.

Attacking Vegetarian Students As “Militant” And “Casteist”

Waghmore has been at the center of multiple controversies regarding mess policies at IIT Bombay. In 2023, when vegetarian students (many of them Jains) requested six dedicated tables out of 129 in the common mess, Waghmore called them “militant” and accused them of enforcing “purity-pollution practices.” He supported a student, Abhishek Mali, who deliberately ate non-vegetarian food at vegetarian-designated tables in protest. Mali was fined ₹10,000, but Waghmore condemned the penalty as “disgraceful.”

In an interview, Waghmore claimed, “Vegetarianism is violent. Because you prevent your children from being exposed to the sight and smell of meat, which is attractive.”

Critics have pointed out the hypocrisy in his stance—while he opposes separate vegetarian tables, halal food restrictions remain unchallenged on campus as also there being separate food and tables during Ramadan.

Alleged Bias In Academic Conduct

In 2024, IIT Bombay’s PhD entrance exam included a question on Hindutva, which many saw as an attempt to screen out Hindu applicants.

When students protested, Waghmore mocked them by posting a video of himself dancing, further fueling accusations of unprofessionalism.

It is noteworthy that Waghmore had deleted his X account after these incidents came to light. Given his repeated pattern of controversial, politically charged, and frequently anti-Hindu commentary, many are now asking: How is someone like this employed at a premier technical institution funded by Indian taxpayers?

Professors at IIT Bombay apart from Suryakant Waghmore such as Anupam Guha have come under public scrutiny for their politicized commentary, ideological bias, and controversial conduct. Guha, an outspoken communist and activist, has supported figures like Hamas sympathizer Megha Vemuri and backed protests such as the anti-Sterlite agitation and anti-CAA marches, often promoting leftist and separatist narratives. He is linked to radical groups like The Collective and Kosambi Circle and has criticized national policies including Article 370’s abrogation. Additionally, a PhD scholar at the institute, Adarsh Priyadarshi, faces allegations of sexual misconduct, raising concerns about unchecked ideological networks and lack of accountability within the campus.

P.S: Waghmore’s X account was unavailable/hidden at the time of publishing this article leading us to the conclusion that he may have deleted the account. His X account is now available.

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