When IIT directors chant Bharat Mata Ki Jai slogans during IIT council meet — Know what happened

New Delhi: In the first of its kind, 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' slogans were raised in the council meeting of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in the national capital. 

The council members not only raised the slogans during the meet but also paid tribute to martyrs, who had lost their lives serving for the country. 

It is to be noted that to celebrate India's 70 years of independence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had flagged off a Tiranga Yatra on August 9 from Bhavra in Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh. The yatra, which has been operated throughout the country, was scheduled to end on August 23 and therefore, the annual meeting of the IIT Council could not remain away from it. 

Held on August 23, the IIT council meet was chaired by HRD minister Prakash Javedkar. At the meeting, IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Roorkee including 40 associated members of the IIT board Governors were present.

The meet began with National Anthem. Suddenly, one of the IIT directors chanted 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' slogan after which the entire senate hall reverberated with it. 

Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar, who was present at the event chanted Bharat Mata Ki Jai slogan along with Minister of State for HRD Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey and all directors and newly appointed members of the IIT council.

After the conclusion of the meeting, several IIT directors made it clear that they have no objections about 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' slogans being raised at the campus. One of the directors told media that the National Anthem is always played during IIT council meet; however, this was the first time when the 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' slogan was raised at the meet.