Introduction:

A controversy erupted after a poster for the workshop “South Asian Capitalism(s)” (scheduled for September 12–13, 2025, co-organised by UC Berkeley, UMass Amherst, and allegedly IIT Bombay) went viral. The poster, inspired by the 1911 Pyramid of the Capitalist System cartoon, depicted India’s political and social hierarchy in a satirical manner, sparking sharp political and academic debate.

Background:

The original 1911 pyramid illustrated class divisions under capitalism. In this workshop’s poster, tiers were reimagined with captions like “We Rule You,” “We Fool You,” “We Shoot At You,” and “We Feed All.” At the “We Fool You” tier, caricatures of Indian leaders — Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath — were placed. Below them appeared armed forces/police under “We Shoot At You,” while at the base stood farmers and workers under “We Work for All” and “We Feed All.”

Key Developments:

The poster’s circulation on social media provoked intense backlash. Critics labeled it partisan and disrespectful toward elected leaders, also alleging selective portrayal since it depicted Hindu religious imagery but no others. Concerns rose over IIT Bombay’s alleged involvement, given its publicly funded status. Many questioned whether the institute had endorsed politically charged messaging.

Issues:

The controversy brought into focus critical questions:

• Where should the line be drawn between academic freedom and respect for political figures?

• Should public institutions face accountability if their names are linked to unapproved content?

• Does the use of satirical or political art in academic spaces blur the boundary between scholarly critique and ideological partisanship?

Current Status:

IIT Bombay categorically denied involvement, stating they were unaware of the flyer. The institute instructed organisers to remove its name from all publicity, ordered the poster taken down, and announced that no faculty or representatives would attend the workshop. It further distanced itself from UC Berkeley and UMass Amherst faculty linked to the event and initiated an internal inquiry.

Conclusion:

The incident highlights the tension between academic expression, institutional reputation, and political sensitivity. In India’s charged climate, depictions of serving leaders invite polarized reactions, showing how artistic or satirical tools can quickly escalate into controversies with reputational consequences for institutions. The episode underscores the need for stricter clarity in co-sponsored international events and careful management of institutional associations.