How an advertisement disrupted IIT-Bombay's cultural festival

Promotional materials for IIT Bombay’s Mood Indigo cultural festival stirred controversy on the eve of its opening. Among the advertisements delivered to the campus were banners and standees featuring suggestive slogans, including "Always Up for a Good Screw," promoting condoms sold by the festival's sponsor. While intended to market various "medical essentials," the materials faced criticism for being inappropriate in a student-centric environment, a TOI report stated.

Students raise concerns over the institute's image

A group of students expressed their discontent by writing to the IIT Bombay administration, urging them to ensure that the festival’s activities align with the institute's values. In their letter, they stated, "While these sponsorships may align with modern marketing trends, such promotions, when tied to IIT Bombay's name, risk projecting an image that might not resonate with the institute's esteemed heritage and values."

Responding swiftly, the administration instructed the sponsor to remove the provocative displays. The materials were withdrawn before they could be prominently displayed across the Powai campus.

IIT Bombay clarifies its stance

An IIT Bombay spokesperson explained that all activities on campus are governed by strict guidelines. “We are governed by strict laws, and so is our institute—every activity on campus operates within these frameworks,” the spokesperson said.

Referring to the sponsor’s broader product portfolio, including hand sanitizers and medicated lozenges, the spokesperson emphasized that promotional materials must be approved by the festival committee. “In this case, the company overstepped by sending standees that bypassed this procedure,” they added.

Mood Indigo team takes proactive measures

According to sources, the controversial materials were delivered late Monday night and left near the Student Activity Centre. Upon discovering them the next morning, members of the Mood Indigo committee requested the sponsor to immediately remove the ads. A committee member stated that the materials did not align with the "values" of IIT Bombay.