A video of students, reportedly from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, dancing to the Bollywood song “Munni Badnaam” has gone viral, igniting discussions on social media. The clip, shared widely, including by a user on X (formerly Twitter) with the handle @venom1s, features a female student dancing with others in the background. Reactions to the video are polarized, with some criticizing it as “inappropriate” for a prestigious academic institution, while others find no issue with it.
Item dance in IIT Bombay.
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— ︎ ︎venom (@venom1s) October 18, 2024
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Mixed Reactions: Criticism and Support
Many users questioned whether such performances align with IIT Bombay’s reputation, with comments like, “People go to IIT to study; then what is happening?” and “This isn’t appropriate.” Critics argue that such displays may not suit an elite engineering institute known for its academic rigor.
Conversely, several others defended the students, calling out what they see as unnecessary moral policing. Supporters argue that students should be allowed to have fun and unwind, with one user saying, “What is the issue, actually?” and another remarking, “This just proves IITians are good at everything.”
Institutional Silence and Broader Concerns
While the video has yet to appear on IIT Bombay’s official social media handles, and the institute has not issued any statement, the attention has brought IIT Bombay’s student experience under scrutiny. Recently, the institution’s placement report for 2023-24 revealed that 25% of students did not secure jobs through campus placements, with some offers as low as 4 lakh rupees annually. This sparked a discussion on academic pressure, job opportunities, and the balance between professional expectations and student life.
The debate reflects broader views on student freedom and the expectations society places on elite academic institutions.
