The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has levied a fine of Rs 1.2 lakh — almost equal to a semester’s fee — on a student who participated in a play titled “Raahovan” during the institute’s Performing Arts Festival held in March this year. The play, loosely based on the Ramayana, sparked protests from a section of students who alleged it was disrespectful to Hinduism and derogatory towards Ram and Sita. At least seven other students were penalised, but the nature of disciplinary action and quantum of fine, could not be ascertained. When asked by The Indian Express about the action taken by the institute, the IIT Bombay spokesperson refused to comment. Ranked highest among Indian institutions in the global QS rankings in 2025, IIT Bombay issued the ‘penalty’ notice on June 4 to the student. Prior to that, a disciplinary committee meeting was convened on May 8 to address complaints regarding the play. The student in question participated in the meeting, and based on “deliberations”, the committee recommended punitive measures. The notice said the Rs 1.20 lakh fine was due on July 20, 2024, at the office of the Dean of Student Affairs, and that the student was barred from receiving any recognition from the institute’s gymkhana awards. Any breach of this penalty would result in further sanctions, it said. The notice was put out on social media platform X by ‘IIT B for Bharat’, a campus group that claims to uphold “Indic civilisational values”. The group had previously protested against the play, and welcomed the institute’s actions. “The play depicted the Ramayana in a derogatory manner. These students misused academic freedom to ridicule Lord Ram, Mata Sita, and Lord Laxman,” the group’s post read. While the students against whom the action was taken declined to speak, their peers confirmed that the fines were imposed earlier this month. “The students had hoped to resolve the situation through dialogue with the school, but one student's penalty notice was leaked on social media last Wednesday,” one associate told The Indian Express. Another associate described the play as a ‘feminist’ reinterpretation of the Ramayana with altered character names and storyline. The audience didn’t object, neither did the judges, the associate said. Students said action has been taken against eight students involved in the play, including those graduating in July. Graduating students faced heavier fines, while those continuing their studies face lesser fines and hostel suspensions. The play was staged at IIT Bombay’s open-air theatre on March 31 this year. On April 8, the ‘IIT B for Bharat’ handle on social media platform X denounced the play, citing it as a mockery of Lord Ram and the Ramayana, supported by video clips from the performance. IIT Bombay’s disciplinary committee has previously imposed fines on students for violations of the code of conduct. However, IIT Bombay officials declined to comment on how they determine the quantum of penalties for students.
