September 12, 2025
Delhi, India
A seemingly academic workshop titled “South Asian Capitalism(s)” scheduled for September 12-13, 2025, at the University of California, Berkeley’s Institute for South Asia Studies has erupted into a major row due to its provocative poster. The flyer, featuring a pyramid graphic titled “Pyramid of Capitalist India,” depicts caricatures resembling Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in the second tier with the caption “We fool you.” This adaptation of the 1911 anti-capitalist cartoon “Pyramid of the Capitalist System” has drawn sharp criticism for its alleged partisan attack on Indian leadership. The poster’s top tier shows business tycoons labeled “We rule you,” followed by security forces as “We shoot at you,” and the base as the middle class and workers “We work for all” and “We feed all.” IIT Bombay’s name as a co-organizer, linked through its New Political Economy Initiative (NPEI), fueled accusations of taxpayer-funded institutions promoting political satire.
Key Points:
- The workshop aims to explore “how capitalist accumulation is socially structured across South Asia,” co-sponsored by UC Berkeley, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and IIT Bombay’s NPEI.
- Controversy ignited by a viral X post from user Harshil Mehta (@MehHarshil) on September 10, 2025, questioning IIT Bombay’s involvement in the “overtly political” messaging.
- Critics, including former Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal, slammed the event as irrelevant to Indian economics and questioned foreign university involvement.
- The poster replaces the original cartoon’s clergy with Indian leaders, seen as offensive and biased by many, sparking debates on academic freedom vs. partisanship.
IIT Bombay’s Swift Response: Denial, Disassociation, and Investigation
Facing mounting backlash on social media, IIT Bombay issued a clarification on X late on September 10, 2025, denying any knowledge of the flyer’s content and immediately instructing organizers to remove it. The institute stated it was “totally unaware” of the published flyer and has removed all mentions of the event from its NPEI website. No IIT Bombay representatives are attending the conference, and the institute expressed being “deeply shocked and upset” by the content. In a strong move, IIT Bombay announced it will cease all associations with the involved faculty from UC Berkeley and University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and launch a full internal investigation. This rapid distancing highlights the institute’s effort to protect its reputation amid public outrage.
Key Points:
- Official Statement: “The Institute was not at all consulted about the flyer… Further investigation into the matter will be conducted.”
- Actions Taken: Flyer taken down from social media; IIT Bombay’s name removed from all event materials; no participation from the institute.
- Broader Implications: The response addresses concerns over NPEI’s role, which is partially funded by the Ford Foundation, raising questions about external influences in Indian academia.
- Public Reaction: The clarification was shared widely, with some praising the quick action, while others demanded accountability from the involved faculty.
The Workshop’s Academic Context: Themes and Organizers Under Scrutiny
Organized as a two-day event for young scholars, “South Asian Capitalism(s)” is co-presented by UC Berkeley’s Institute for South Asia Studies, Department of City and Regional Planning, and the University of Massachusetts-Amherst’s Asian Political Economy Program. It focuses on topics like dialectics of globalism and nationalism, inequality, populism, agrarian and urban crises, and data for social justice. Key figures include Anush Kapadia from IIT Bombay’s NPEI, who is listed as a co-organizer, and other academics like Munis Faruqui and Sai Balakrishnan from UC Berkeley. The event draws on initiatives like the Political Economy of Contemporary South Asia and the Chowdhury Center for Bangladesh Studies. However, the controversial poster has overshadowed these scholarly aims, with critics arguing it veers into political activism rather than objective research.
Key Points:
- Event Details: Held September 12-13, 2025, at UC Berkeley; includes panels on migrant capitalism, inequality, and reflections on Indian political economy by experts like Pranab Bardhan.
- Organizers: Involves UC Berkeley’s multiple centers (e.g., Global Metropolitan Studies, Berkeley Economy and Society Initiative) and UMass-Amherst; IIT Bombay’s NPEI was initially listed but now disassociated.
- Funding Concerns: NPEI receives support from the Ford Foundation, leading to debates on foreign funding influencing content in Indian institutions.
- Academic Defense: Some sources frame it as a legitimate exploration of South Asian economies, but the poster’s inflammatory design has alienated supporters.
Social Media Storm: Viral Backlash and Calls for Accountability
The controversy exploded on X after Harshil Mehta’s post on September 10, 2025, which garnered thousands of views and shares, tagging Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Users accused IIT Bombay of sponsoring anti-India propaganda with public funds, with hashtags like #IITBombayControversy trending. Former diplomat Kanwal Sibal questioned the event’s relevance, asking why IIT Bombay needs “enlightenment” from US universities on Indian capitalism. Other posts highlighted the absence of diverse religious figures in the pyramid, focusing only on a saffron-robed monk. The backlash extended to demands for probes into NPEI’s activities and foreign collaborations, reflecting broader tensions over academic neutrality in politically charged topics.
Key Points:
- Viral Trigger: Mehta’s X post exposed the poster, leading to over 10,000 engagements within hours; reposted by influencers and BJP supporters.
- Key Criticisms: Accusations of partisanship, misuse of taxpayer money (IITs are government-funded), and promoting “anti-Hindu” imagery.
- Supportive Voices: A minority defended it as free speech in academia, but the dominant narrative called for institutional accountability.
- Broader Debate: Echoes ongoing discussions on foreign funding in Indian education, with calls for stricter oversight on international partnerships.
Broader Ramifications: Implications for Academic Collaborations and Free Speech
This incident underscores challenges in international academic partnerships, particularly when involving sensitive political themes. IIT Bombay’s decisive withdrawal may set a precedent for how Indian institutions handle controversial foreign events, potentially chilling collaborations with US universities. It also reignites debates on academic freedom versus national sensitivities, with critics viewing the poster as hate speech and supporters as satirical critique. As the workshop proceeds without IIT involvement, questions linger about the role of funding bodies like the Ford Foundation and the balance between global discourse and local sentiments. The event’s fallout could influence future policies on international events at premier institutes, emphasizing the need for vetting materials in joint initiatives.
Key Points:
- Impact on Partnerships: IIT’s disassociation signals caution in US-India academic ties, especially on political economy topics.
- Free Speech vs. Offense: The poster, inspired by historical anti-capitalist art, highlights tensions between satire and perceived defamation.
- Policy Calls: Demands for investigations into NPEI and similar initiatives; potential review of foreign funding in IITs.
- Future Outlook: UC Berkeley has not responded to queries, but the event may proceed with adjusted organizers, amid ongoing online scrutiny.
