US EditionIIT-Delhi initiates probe into conference on caste and race held over a week ago
IIT-Delhi formed an independent panel to probe complaints over the conference’s content and speaker choices following social media criticism and institutional review.
- On January 26, 2026, the Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi announced it formed an independent fact-finding committee and sought explanations from the concerned faculty who organised the conference.
- Organised by Divya Dwivedi and Sowjanya Tamalapakula, the CPCR3 conference ran from January 16 to 18, 2026, at IIT-Delhi's Senate Hall, marking 25 years of the Durban Declaration.
- The three-day programme included keynote lectures and panels by Gail Omvedt, Shailaja Paik, Suryakant Waghmore and Paul Divakar, while Session 5 featured Aarushi Punia's paper, drawing criticism for a `one-sided narrative on caste`.
- The institute said it would take appropriate action following fact-finding committee findings and reiterated commitment to national goals, while administrative officials denied knowledge of the probe panel.
- Faculty defenders say the CPCR conference has a longstanding academic history, and a few weeks ago, a recent Hindutva conference on campus drew no similar challenge, while social media critics labelled the event `woke nonsense` and questioned its relevance at a technological institute.
13 Articles
13 Articles
‘Why discussing caste is a crime?’ Faculty, scholars shocked by IIT-Delhi probe on conference
IIT-Delhi's third edition of 'Critical Philosophy of Caste and Race' has led to the formation of a committee that would 'investigate serious concerns raised about the conference'.
Explain choice of speakers, content: IIT-Delhi tells organisers of seminar on caste, race; institute sets up fact-finding panel
The conference, titled ‘Critical Philosophy of Caste & Race (CPCR3): Celebrating 25 Years of Durban: Indian Contributions to Combatting Caste and Racism’, was held between January 16 and 18 in the Senate Hall of the main building of IIT-D.
Conference on Caste, Race at IIT Delhi Faces Flak; Administration Forms Fact-finding Committee
Get latest articles and stories on India at LatestLY. A conference on caste and race organised at IIT Delhi earlier this month has triggered sharp criticism over its content and choice of speakers, following which the institute has constituted a fact-finding committee and assured appropriate action in line with institutional protocols. India News | Conference on Caste, Race at IIT Delhi Faces Flak; Administration Forms Fact-finding Committee.
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