Petition to the National Commission for Scheduled Caste and University of Delhi

Why Did the Complaint Against Birth-Based Caste Promotion Get Rejected?

For Copy of the Complaint click here

On 21 February 2026, a formal complaint was submitted to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes seeking suo motu action regarding the ceremonial distribution of the Jayadayal Goyandka commentary on the Bhagavad Gita at the Faculty of Law, University of Delhi.

The grievance was officially registered on CPGRAMS Portal (No. MOSJE/E/2026/0001097).

However, on 23 February 2026, the complaint was closed, with the remark that the subject matter did not fall under the Commission’s purview.

This petition is therefore being brought before the public.

What Happened?

During an academic event at the Faculty of Law, a Hindi commentary on the Bhagavad Gita authored by Jayadayal Goyandka was ceremonially presented and distributed on stage.

This particular commentary, first published in the year 1950, interprets Chapter IV, Verse 13 (“Chaturvarnyam maya srishtam…”) in a way that explicitly affirms:

a)      Caste as determined by birth

b)      Hereditary classification as socially necessary

c)      Preservation of caste boundaries as essential to order

The event was held within a public university — an institution constitutionally committed to equality, fraternity, and dignity.

Why This Raises Concern

India is not merely a country for any one group of people; it is a constitutional republic, and therefore it belongs equally to all.

Articles 14, 15, 16, and 17 of the Constitution reject discrimination and untouchability. The State (under Article 12) is duty-bound to move toward a casteless social order.

Across ideological lines, many modern interpreters of the Gita have rejected rigid birth-based hierarchy:

a)      Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

b)      Sri Aurobindo

c)      Swami Vivekananda

d)      Bankim Chandra Chatterjee

e)      Chinmayananda Saraswati

f)       Swami Mukundananda

g)     Swami Nikhilanda of Rama-Krishna Vivekanand Centre

These thinkers differed philosophically, yet converged on a common principle: birth does not determine human worth.

Academic Freedom vs Constitutional Morality

Sacred texts may be studied, debated, and interpreted.

However:

a)      A primary ancient text belongs to its historical context.

b)      A modern commentary reflects contemporary ideological choices.

When a modern commentary that explicitly affirms hereditary caste hierarchy is ceremonially endorsed within a State-funded law faculty, it raises a legitimate constitutional question.

This petition does not oppose faith.
It questions whether public institutions should appear to endorse birth-based hierarchy in contemporary India.

Why Public Attention Is Necessary

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes declined to examine the matter.

If constitutional bodies refuse to consider whether public institutions are promoting interpretations that affirm caste-by-birth, then citizens must raise the question peacefully and democratically.

Our Demands

We respectfully call upon the University of Delhi and the National Commission for Scheduled Caste to:

• Clarify its institutional position on birth-based caste interpretations.
• Ensure that academic events uphold constitutional morality.
• Promote interpretations consistent with equality, dignity, and fraternity when representing religious or philosophical works in official capacities. 

This Is About Constitutional Equality

India belongs equally to all — not by birth, but by citizenship.

No educational institutional platform should normalize hereditary hierarchy in a constitutional democracy.

Sign this petition if you believe:

1. Equality must prevail over hierarchy.
2. Constitutional morality must guide public institutions.
3. Public universities must stand with dignity and fraternity for all.