IIT Delhi students told to ‘stand up’ during Vedic mantras, says AIMIM chief

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi criticized IIT Delhi’s convocation, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where students were reportedly asked to stand during Vedic chants and bow before the PM. He said such practices violate Article 28 of the Constitution, which prohibits religious instruction in state-funded institutions, and argued that scientific temper is being undermined.

Hyderabad: AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday said IIT Delhi students reportedly being told to stand when Vedic mantras were chanted during the institution’s convocation, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was against the provisions of the Constitution.

He said Article 28 states that no religious instruction shall be provided in educational institutions wholly maintained out of state funds.

---

Referring to media reports that the students were told to bow their heads when they meet the PM, he found fault in it and said, “Scientific temper has been thrown into a dustbin.”

“I remind all students of India that national interest also means that whenever a government takes a wrong step, you should stand against it,” he told reporters here.