IIT Delhi Research Paper Controversy: Taxpayer-Funded IIT Delhi Research Portrays India as Oppressor in Kashmir, Sparking Ideological Bias Debate

Unpacking the IIT Delhi Research Paper Controversy

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, one of India's premier engineering institutions, has found itself at the center of a heated debate over a research paper emerging from its Department of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS). The paper, which critiques Indian nationalism in the context of Kashmir, has been accused of portraying India as an oppressor, raising questions about ideological bias in taxpayer-funded research. 10 81

This controversy gained renewed attention in late January 2026 amid backlash against a recent conference organized by the same department. Critics argue that such publications undermine national interests, while defenders emphasize academic freedom. As India's higher education landscape evolves, this incident highlights tensions between scholarly inquiry and public accountability.

The Research Paper at the Heart of the Storm

The contentious publication is titled "Tyranny of Indian Nationalism and Resistance in Kashmir: Reading a Kashmiri Narrative with Iqbal and Freud." Authored by Nazia Amin, a PhD candidate at IIT Delhi's HSS department at the time, it was published in March 2023 in the Journal for the Psychoanalysis of Culture and Society. 132 133

Amin, now an Assistant Professor at BML Munjal University, employs psychoanalytic frameworks from Sigmund Freud and poet Muhammad Iqbal to analyze Kashmiri resistance. The paper describes Indian nationalism as a 'tyrannical' force imposing a coercive identity on Kashmiris, likening it to Freud's 'primal father' figure that demands submission. 136 It draws on Kashmiri narratives to argue that resistance stems from this perceived oppression, with limited discussion of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism or the 1990 exodus of Kashmiri Pandits.

Affiliated with IIT Delhi's institutional repository, the paper exemplifies humanities research in technical institutes, where HSS departments support interdisciplinary studies alongside core engineering programs.

Key Claims and Points of Contention

Critics highlight the paper's language, such as 'tyranny of Indian nationalism,' as inflammatory and one-sided. It frames post-1947 integration of Jammu and Kashmir as an imposition, echoing separatist rhetoric without balancing perspectives on democratic processes or Article 370 abrogation in 2019, which integrated the region fully into India. 81

• Minimal acknowledgment of cross-border terrorism, responsible for thousands of deaths since the 1980s.
• Lack of mention of Kashmiri Pandit genocide, displacing over 300,000 Hindus.
• Psychoanalytic lens portraying the Indian state as psychologically oppressive.

Supporters view it as legitimate critique within postcolonial studies, common in humanities. However, the debate centers on whether such views, funded publicly, align with national unity.

IIT Delhi's Humanities and Social Sciences Department

Established to foster well-rounded engineers, IIT Delhi's HSS department offers courses in philosophy, literature, and social sciences. It hosts research groups like Critical Philosophy of Caste and Race (CPCR), led by faculty such as Dr. Divya Dwivedi.

Dwivedi, linked to the 2023 paper ecosystem, has made controversial statements, including envisioning a 'future India without Hinduism' and criticizing the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). 81 The department's output, while small compared to engineering (IIT Delhi publishes thousands of STEM papers annually), influences campus discourse.

For those interested in humanities roles in technical institutes, explore higher education faculty jobs across India.

Connection to the Recent CPCR3 Conference

The controversy resurfaced during the CPCR3 conference (January 16-18, 2026), titled "Celebrating 25 Years of Durban: Indian Contributions to Combatting Caste and Racism." Sessions drew parallels between Dalits and Palestinians, featuring speakers like Thenmozhi Soundararajan of Equality Labs. 80

Critics, including former CBI director M. Nageswara Rao, labeled it 'anti-national,' prompting IIT Delhi to form a fact-finding committee. 82 This mirrors the Kashmir paper's selective narratives, fueling claims of a pattern in HSS.

Public Reactions and Social Media Storm

Social media erupted, with X (formerly Twitter) posts tagging Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, demanding probes. 70 Right-wing outlets like Organiser.org questioned if IITs are 'ideological advocacy grounds.' 10

Defenders decried 'right-wing attacks on academic freedom,' citing global norms for critical scholarship. 123 The debate reflects polarized views on Kashmir post-Article 370.

Institute Response and Ongoing Probe

IIT Delhi acknowledged concerns, seeking faculty explanations and establishing an independent committee for the conference. No specific response to the 2023 paper, but it underscores scrutiny on HSS activities. 80

The institute emphasizes 'academic integrity and national goals,' balancing freedom with protocols.

Taxpayer Funding and Accountability Questions

IIT Delhi's budget for 2025-26 exceeds ₹900 crore, largely from government grants (around 70-80% public funding). 103 Critics ask if such research justifies taxpayer money, especially when portraying sovereign policies negatively.

Comparative data: IITs receive ₹11,000+ crore collectively, prioritizing STEM but supporting HSS for holistic education. Debates parallel global concerns over public university funding biases.

Professionals navigating such environments may benefit from higher education career advice.

Broader Ideological Debates in Indian Academia

Humanities departments in IITs and universities face accusations of left-wing dominance, with studies noting overrepresentation in social sciences. 118 Kashmir research often polarizes, post-2019 changes.

• Left critiques: State suppression of dissent. 126
• Right concerns: Anti-national narratives funded publicly.

Cases like JNU protests illustrate tensions. Solutions include diverse hiring, rigorous peer review.

Implications for Higher Education and Research Careers

This row impacts faculty recruitment, student perceptions, and funding. HSS roles require navigating politics; platforms like Rate My Professor offer insights.

Positive: Spurs debate on balanced curricula. Negative: Chills critical research.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Future Outlook

Government: Emphasizes national integration. Academics: Defend inquiry. Students: Seek unbiased education.

Outlook: Probes may lead to guidelines. For jobs, check India higher ed jobs. Constructive paths: Multi-perspective Kashmir studies, ethics training.

In conclusion, the IIT Delhi controversy underscores the need for vigilant yet open academia, positioning sites like AcademicJobs.com as resources for informed careers.