IIT-Bombay Students Oppose Collaboration with Israeli University

A group of students at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) has expressed strong opposition to the institute’s recent academic collaboration with Bar-Ilan University in Israel. The controversy erupted following the announcement of a webinar aimed at exploring funded research opportunities in chemistry for Masters, PhD, and Postdoctoral candidates.

The students, affiliated ”Ith the Ambedkar Periyar Phule Study Circle (APPSC), a prominent student collective at IIT-B, have condemned the administration’s decision to partner with Israeli universities, citing ongoing human rights violations against Palestinians. They argue that such collaborations contradict the values of justice and human rights that the institute should uphold. The objection arose after an official communication from IIT Bombay’s General Secretary of Academic Affairs (PG) invited students to participate in a free webinar hosted by Bar-Ilan University.

The initiative was intended to highlight research opportunities, but it quickly became a point of contention for student activists who perceive the collaboration as misaligned with IIT Bombay’s ethical standards. The APPSC released a statement criticizing the decision: “Despite the ongoing genocide of Palestinians by Israel, it’s concerning to see the IIT Bombay administration continuing collaborations with Israeli universities. We must stand against injustice and ensure that our partnerships align with our values of human rights for all.”

The student group Is urging the administration to reconsider its partnership with Bar-Ilan University and to align itself with global movements opposing oppression and violence. They argue that by engaging with Israeli academic institutions, IIT Bombay is indirectly supporting actions that contradict human rights principles. The controversy comes amidst heightened global scrutiny of academic institutions and their international collaborations, particularly with countries involved in ongoing conflicts. IIT Bombay, widely recognized for its academic excellence, now faces mounting pressure from its student body to reassess the ethical implications of its partnerships.

The APPSC has also sent a formal letter to the General Secretary of Academic Affairs, urging the administration to adopt a stance of solidarity with oppressed communities worldwide. The letter calls for a reconsideration of any collaborations or exchanges with Israeli universities, citing rulings by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which have deemed certain actions by Israel in Gaza and the West Bank as illegal and genocidal war crimes. The group’s opposition has been further amplified through social media, where they posted on X (formerly Twitter), calling for IIT Bombay to divest from partnerships that contradict the institute’s stated commitment to social justice and human rights. So far, the IIT Bombay administration has not issued an official response to the students’ demands. However, the situation has sparked a broader debate on campus regarding the role of academic institutions in global conflicts and human rights advocacy.