'Brahmin-Baniyawaad Murdabad': Hate Slogans Rail Ashoka University, Former Infosys CFO Pai Calls For Prompt Action

Former Infosys Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Mohandas Pai called for action after a video surfaced showing students raising controversial slogans at Ashoka University as per a report by Business Today.

The video, shared by X handle @socialjusticeforum depicted students in a classroom raising slogans such as 'we need caste census' and 'Brahmin-Baniyawaad Murdabad' and stated "The SJF successfully disrupted Founder Sanjeev Bikhchandani's "Masterclass on Branding" Talk held at 12 pm on 22nd March."

In response to the video, Pai expressed shock and urged Ashoka University to take action to curb such caste-based hatred. He also tagged Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, calling for government intervention to address the issue.

Another social media user, Dhruv Tripathi also demanded that FIRs be registered against the students for raising hateful slogans against Brahmins and Baniyas, noting that many of the university's founders and donors belong to these communities.

Sanjeev Bikhchandani, an internet entrepreneur and investor who was present at the university during the incident, stated, "A bit of an overclaim. The protesting students came and stood outside the door of the class during the ten minute break after the first hour of the class. They shouted slogans for two or three minutes and then went away. I was inside the classroom in a conversation with some students."

He further added, " We continued the conversation without interruption. I had been given prior notice that this would happen and I should not get alarmed. All very civilised. No disruption. My advice to the protesting students - Ashoka is a small community. You want a census - do it yourself. Don’t depend on the admin to do it."

Pai further questioned, "Why the Hate slogans? Who is creating hate there? Which faculty is instigating hate? The slogans are the problem not the protest. How can you normalise such hate caste-based slogans? They can protest without such hate slogans?"

He stressed that while protests are acceptable, hate-based slogans are not, and urged the vice chancellor to take appropriate action.

Bikhchandani suggested giving the vice chancellor time and space to address the situation, expressing confidence that the VC would handle it appropriately.

Pai reiterated the need for the VC to act promptly to stop the hate slogans, as they create fear and division among people.