Universities across Bharat have indulged in propagating the divisive agenda of the leftist liberals in the name of art, freedom of expression, and whatnot. The recent OP Jindal Global University event is just telling. Here, we list 13 instances where universities and colleges have derogated Hindu deities and culture. 

Instance 1 – OP Jindal Global University

This instance involves OP Jindal Global University in Haryana, where the Revolutionary Students League organised an event that mocked and insulted the concept of the Ram Mandir. The event, titled “Ram Mandir: A Farcical Project of Brahmanical Hindutva Fascism,” took place on February 7, 2024. During the event, the Revolutionary Students League criticised the Ram Mandir ceremony held on January 22, alleging inherent violence and anti-people tendencies in the Brahmanical Hindutva state. The discussion linked the Ram Mandir concept to alleged hate crimes against Muslims and Dalits, highlighting concerns about saffronisation in educational institutions. Attendees were encouraged to read the controversial book “Fight Brahmanical Hindutva Fascism” by Varavara Rao, who has expressed support for Yakub Memon, a terrorist convicted in the 1993 Mumbai Blasts.

Instance 2 – Savitribai Phule Pune University

A highly outrageous incident unfolded at Savitribai Phule Pune University on February 3, where a play, ‘Jab We Met,’ performed as part of a competition at Lalit Kala Kendra, blatantly mocked Bhagwan Ram and Mata Sita. The shocking video depicted Mata Sita, portrayed by a student, smoking a cigarette. The play was a rehearsal journey of actors involved in Ramlila, taking an unconventional and disrespectful approach to the revered characters. A professor and five students from Pune University, including Dr Pravin Bhole, head of the Lalit Kala Kendra department, were arrested following a complaint by ABVP’s Harshvardhan Harpude. The arrests were made under section 295 (A) and other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code, as the accused staged a play based on the ‘Ramayan’ that allegedly hurt religious sentiments. 

Instance 3 – Allahabad University

In October 2023, an assistant professor of Allahabad University was booked for making objectionable remarks about Bhagwan Ram and Bhagwan Krishna. The action came at the joint complaint of Vishva Hindu Parishad, Hindu Jagran Manch, and Bajrang Dal. Professor Vikram Harijan, a professor at the Department of Medieval and Modern History, posted on X, suggested that Bhagwan Ram should be jailed under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code and said that Bhagwan Krishna is guilty of sexual harassment. The remarks, the complainant said, made several students of the varsity angry and hurt the sentiments of the Hindu community. When Dr Vikram Harijan was asked about the matter, he said, “I have written this within the ambit of the Constitution. Lord Ram killed Shambhuk because Shambhuk belonged to the Shudra caste and was teaching the youths.” He said Bhagwan Krishna used to run away with women’s clothes. “If this happened in today’s time, would any woman have tolerated it?” An FIR was filed at the Colonelganj Police Station, with charges under IPC sections 153-A, 295-A, and Section 66 of the IT Act.

Instance 4 – Symbiosis College of Arts & Commerce

At Symbiosis College of Arts & Commerce, a 43-year-old teacher, Ashok Sopan Dhole, was arrested on August 3, 2023, for making derogatory remarks about Hindu deities during a classroom session. In the video, he is seen saying Hindu Dharma has too many deities and Islam and Christianity have only one god each, so they saved their devotees, while Hindus were not saved because there were too many. In addition to being arrested, the teacher was suspended by the institution. A First Information Report (FIR) was registered against him under section 295A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for actions intended to outrage religious feelings.

Instance 5 – Maulana Azad Medical College

At Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) in Delhi, students intentionally insulted Bhagwan Krishna and Sudama during a college fest on September 27, 2022. The satirical comedy event, organised by the Residents Doctors Association and Azad Medicos Association over four days, disrespected Bhagwan Krishna and portrayed Sudama as an alcoholic. The associations issued a statement and apologised for the incident, acknowledging the offence caused to Hindu religious sentiments.

Instance 6 – Maharaja Sayajirao University

At Maharaja Sayajirao University of Vadodara, Gujarat, some students displayed objectionable portraits of Hindu gods and goddesses. During the annual painting exhibition of the Fine Arts faculty in May 2022, certain students created artwork on various topics. While some used cutouts to make portraits of Hindu deities, others produced nude paintings. It’s important to note that the images used to create such portraits were inappropriate and depicted scenes of violence.

Instance 7 – Lovely University

At Lovely Professional University in Jalandhar, Punjab, in April 2022, Assistant Professor Gursang Preet Kaur faced suspension for making objectionable remarks about Bhagwan Ram. During a presentation, she referred to Ram as a cunning person, that He made all the plans to trap Sita Devi & put all the blame on Ravana. This led to her suspension from the university.

Instance 8 – Aligarh Muslim University

In April 2022, at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in Uttar Pradesh, Assistant Professor Dr. Jitendra Kumar faced legal action as an FIR was filed against him under sections 153-A and 295-A of the Indian Penal Code. The professor made offensive remarks against Hindu Gods and Goddesses through a PowerPoint presentation during a class on rape in the forensic medicine department, leading to the filing of the FIR.

Instance 9 – AIIMS

In October 2021, at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi, a first-year MBBS student named Soyeb Aftab, along with an education platform, engaged in mocking the Ramayana in a Ramleela skit performance. The performance included the use of abusive language, with Bhagwan Ram depicted disrespectfully. Surpanakha was shown singing a Bollywood song in an inappropriate context. Following the skit, the students’ association of AIIMS issued an apology for the offensive performance.

Instance 10 – Loyola College

At Loyola College in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, in January 2019, the college allowed the exhibition of blatant Hinduphobic artwork as part of its cultural event, Veedi Viruthu Vizha. The exhibits displayed derogatory drawings of Hindu religion, Bharat Mata, and Hindu organisations. These artworks mocked and depicted Hindu ideologies and symbols in a derogatory manner. Following the controversy, the college apologised for conducting such an event.

Instance 11 – St. Joseph’s College

In November 2018, St. Joseph’s College in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, invited research works on topics such as ‘Male-dominated thoughts in Kamba Ramayanam,’ ‘The plight of Surpanakha in Ramayana’ and the ‘Oppression of Panchali by men’ and ‘Denial of women’s identity in religions.’ However, the college decided to ‘postpone’ the seminar due to opposition.

Instance 12 – Dayal Singh College 

Assistant Professor Kedar Kumar Mandal of the University of Delhi’s Dyal Singh College faced backlash in September 2017 for posting ‘insulting’ content about the Hindu goddess Durga on Facebook at 07:43 pm. In response, an FIR was filed against the professor in connection with the incident.

Instance 13 – University of Mysore

In June 2016, Professor BP Mahesh Chandra Guru, who was teaching at the Department of Communications and Journalism, University of Mysore, was arrested for insulting Bhagwan Ram during one of his lectures. He had said Hanuman was a symbol of slavery. Additionally, he was suspended from the university for supporting a call to burn the Bhagavad Gita.