IIT Bombay’s cultural festival, Mood Indigo, set to begin on Tuesday, found itself at the center of controversy after an advertisement from one of its sponsors caught the attention of students.
The medical company, known for products including condoms, displayed a banner with the slogan “Always up for a good screw,” which many students interpreted as a provocative reference to sex.
The slogan, paired with a cheeky social media caption—“We found the JEE Spot: Mood-I, here we come”—raised eyebrows, prompting a swift response from the student body.
According to a report by the Times of India, a group of students wrote to the authorities, voicing concerns that such advertising did not align with IIT Bombay’s values and traditions. They argued that while the company may have intended to follow current marketing trends, associating such a message with IIT Bombay could tarnish the institution’s esteemed reputation.
In response, the administration acted quickly, ordering the sponsoring company to remove the advertisements.
An IIT Bombay spokesperson emphasised that the campus follows strict guidelines, with all fest-related activities, including advertisements, needing prior approval. The spokesperson also clarified that the advertising agency violated these rules, and thus the banners were pulled back.
The company had placed the advertisements on campus the night before, but after students raised their concerns, the authorities stepped in and instructed the company to remove the provocative content.
