IIT Bombay Students Spark Debate Over Viral Dance Performance: Is It Vulgar?

A recent dance performance by students of IIT Bombay has sparked a heated debate about the definition of vulgarity on the internet. The performance, which went viral, featured students dancing to the song "Munni Badnaam" and has led to a divided opinion over whether it was appropriate for an academic setting.

According to the IIT Bombay Uncuts YouTube channel, the dance was performed by students of Hostel 5 at IIT Bombay, an institution renowned for its engineering and technology programs. The video, which was shared on X (formerly known as Twitter), showcases students grooving to the popular Bollywood item song while donning a crop top and skirt. The routine garnered applause from the onsite audience but evoked mixed responses online.

• One X user shared the video with a caption, “IIT Bombay vulgar dance, what's your opinion on this?” sparking the ongoing debate. As of now, the video has amassed 1.2 million views and elicited numerous comments arguing both for and against the performance’s appropriateness.
• Critics have expressed strong objections towards the dance. One X user named Pihu commented, “Cheap…doesn’t look like that people get education here.”
• Another user voiced concerns about societal influences, stating, “My opinion on this is, I don’t blame them. From Kapil Sharma Show, Bollywood movies, IIFA awards and countless others, these kids were raised seeing perverted dances like these on TV. The subversion has been successful, it’s ingrained in them. Blame parents and the media.”
• A different critic highlighted the responsibility of the entertainment industry, saying, “Before you question them, question Bollywood and the entertainment industry. Question the songwriters and question the social media influencers. One thing leads to another, like a chain reaction. What you are seeing is one symptom of a syndrome.”
• Another person added, "It's an item song that describes a woman as a product. If you do not find this 'inappropriate' in an educational institute then you're brainwashed.”

On the other hand, many defended the students, arguing that their hard work to get into IIT Bombay should allow them some liberty to enjoy their campus life. One supporter stated, “People who can't enter the gates of prestigious colleges should refrain from moral policing these meritorious students.” Another user expressed, “I don’t find anything vulgar."

Echoing this sentiment, another person said, "If this is considered as vulgarity then do a protest in front of Mumbai film studios.” Adding to the list of supporters, a commenter noted, “OP has no idea what goes on at IIT Bombay. This doesn't even make the top 200 list,” refuting the notion that the dance was inappropriate.

The incident at IIT Bombay reflects an ongoing societal debate about the boundaries of expression and propriety, especially in educational environments. With both sides presenting strong viewpoints, it remains a topic of public discourse.

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