Mumbai/IBNS: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has fined its 8 students over the staging of a play titled Raahovan, which is believed to be a parody of Hindu epic Ramayana, media reports said.

Among 8, four were fined Rs. 1.2 lakh each while the rest Rs. 40,000 each.

The skit was performed at the institution's Performing Arts Festival or PAF on March 31.

After it was staged, a section of IIT Bombay students had alleged the play had derogatory references to Hindu beliefs and deities.

Some even alleged the play had mocked the cultural values under the concealment of promotion of feminism.

As additional penalties, graduating students have been barred from gymkhana awards while junior students have been denied hostel facilities.

The penalties will have to be paid by July 20.

After the institution's action, IIT B for Bharat, the bio of which reads a group of volunteers aimed at having a common space for Indic civilisational values, posted on X, "We welcome disciplinary action taken by the  @iitbombay administration against those involved in the play 'Raahovan,' which depicted the Ramayana in a derogatory manner. These students abused their academic freedom to mock Lord Ram, Mata Sita, and Lord Laxman.

"We urge the @iitbombay administration to establish guidelines to ensure that no religion is ridiculed under the guise of freedom of expression on the campus in any form. Also, An apology letter regarding this action and the objectionable PAF event is expected from the @iitbombay administration to the @iitbombay community."

"According to the sources, two different punishments were executed, one for the students who are passing this July and another for the regular students," it added.