IIT Roorkee issued a strong warning to anyone spreading false material meant to tarnish the institute reputation. It responded to a video of a student dancing to Jalebi Bai at a college festival that stirred controversy on social media. Many accused the institute of endorsing inappropriate behaviour. Official statement clarified that this claim is misplaced.
Media Cell In-charge Sonika Srivastava clarified that IIT Roorkee has noticed misleading content circulating online with the aim of harming its image. The institute mentioned legal action as a possibility against individuals or groups who share defamatory or false information. The statement stressed the institute commitment to ethics, integrity and academic excellence. It also reserved the right to file FIRs and pursue legal proceedings if required
Social media users believe the statement refers to the viral dance performance. Criticism arose over whether such performances belong in an academic space. Some defended the student, saying creativity does not conflict with academic seriousness. Others pointed out that the video might be old, shared now out of acceptable context, just to provoke reactions. IIT Roorkee began in 1847 as Thomason College of Civil Engineering. It became an IIT in 2001 and remains one of the strongest engineering institutes in India by reputation.
