New Delhi:
The Indian Institute of Know-how (IIT) Delhi on Monday introduced formation of a fact-finding committee to research a lately held tutorial convention titled “Crucial Philosophy of Caste and Race,” following what it described as “grave issues” over the selection of audio system and content material mentioned.
In a press release on social media platform X on Monday, the institute stated it had sought a proof from the involved college and constituted a committee with impartial members to research the issues raised.
“Critical issues have been raised over the selection of audio system and content material of the convention [Critical Philosophy of Caste and Race (Jan 16-18)],” the IIT-Delhi publish said. “The institute has sought a proof from the involved college, and a fact-finding committee with impartial members has additionally been set as much as examine issues raised in regards to the convention,” it added, with out detailing the committee’s composition or timeline.
Nonetheless, it talked about that “applicable actions shall be initiated…primarily based on the committee’s discovering”.
The three-day convention, organised by the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences from January 16 to 18, was framed across the theme “Celebrating 25 Years of Durban: Indian Contributions to Combating Caste and Racism.” It referenced the 2001 World Convention Towards Racism in Durban, South Africa.
The introductory notice was delivered by Professor Divya Dwivedi of IIT Delhi. Commenting on the event, prof Dwivedi said the convention was purely tutorial and held after receiving all required approvals.
“Prior permission was obtained for the convention… The convention is tutorial in its purpose and scope, which is to generate vital considering on social inequalities – and it builds on present tutorial analysis and publications together with mine which could be appeared up. The programme for the convention has been in public area from earlier than the occasion,” she stated.
She confirmed the administration had sought a proof from her.
The administration has not publicly specified the precise nature of the “severe issues” that prompted the probe. IIT-Delhi officers refused to touch upon the matter. PR’s e-mail despatched to the pinnacle of Humanities and Social Sciences division of IIT-Delhi didn’t elicit any response.
College students who attended the convention, talking on situation of anonymity, described it as a scholarly dialogue. “There was no sloganeering… It was purely an educational dialogue. Matters like caste and race have been mentioned and deliberated earlier than as properly,” a first-year PhD scholar from the division stated.
Lecturers throughout the three-day convention got on vary of sub-themes equivalent to ‘On the Crossroads of Caste, Race, and Gender: Dalit Ladies on the Durban Convention’, ‘Caste, Want, and Hazard: Pavalabai Bhalerao’s Revolt’, ‘Dalit Rights to International CDWD: From Naming to Norms, From Norms to Justice’ and In direction of Raceless and Casteless Humanism: Understanding the Actions in opposition to Race-Caste Energy’. Moreover, three books had been additionally launched, together with Burnt: Past Return (2025) by Basudev Sunani and Chunduru Kathalu (2026) by Sowjanya Tamalapakula.
A day and topic-wise detailed schedule of the convention was shared on the Humanities and Social Sciences division’s web site.
