A few students of IIT-Bombay were fined up to Rs 1.2 lakh by the institute for staging a play loosely based on the epic Ramayana, in which they showed the characters in a "derogatory manner."
According to a Times of India report, the play was staged during the annual performing arts fest of the premier institute. The play, titled 'Raahovan', was staged on March 31.
The video of the skit had gone viral in the next few days, following which a complaint was registered. According to one of the complainants, the students made fun of Indian culture in the name of feminism in the play.
A section of the students, in the complaint, said the play showed the characters in the epic in poor light. The action by the institute comes after recommendations by a disciplinary action committee.
While IIT- Bombay imposed a fine of Rs 1.2 lakh each on students who are graduating, junior students, who were part of the play, have been told to pay Rs 40,000. Besides, the students have been banned from hostel facilities.
However, some of the students in the institute defended the play saying it was a feminist taken on tribal society, and the action initiated by the institute is uncalled for. According to them, the skit was much appreciated when it was staged.