As many as 17 faculty members of IIM-B — both current and retired, and in their personal capacity — signed the letter.
The faculty members of Indian Institute of Management Bengaluru have penned an open letter to Corporate India on Tuesday. (Wikipedia)
Expressing deep concern over the escalating instances of hate crimes within the nation, members of the faculty of the Indian Institute of Management in Bangalore (IIM-B) penned an open letter to Corporate India on Tuesday, 8 August.
The faculty members — both current and retired, and in their personal capacity — wrote the open letter to the leaders of Corporate India to draw their attention to increasing hate crimes and conflicts within the border.
Their plea to corporate leaders was a resounding call to action: To withdraw financial support from the propagation of misinformation and hate speech through news outlets and social media platforms.
In the one-page letter, they highlighted the prevalent hatred against minorities in public discourse and the alarming increase in violent hate crimes.
The faculty members emphasised that these trends pose a threat to India’s stability and economy.
They also called for a responsible allocation of funds, promotion of diversity and inclusion, and advocacy for unity to counteract the growing risk of violent conflicts.
As many as 17 faculty members of IIM-B signed the letter addressed to Corporate India.
Considering the rising incidents of hate crimes in the country, the IIM-B faculty members expressed concerns and urged Corporate India to act responsibly in terms of funding and also urged stakeholders to raise their voice against hate.
In a letter, the faculty wrote: “In recent years, India has witnessed a disconcerting surge in the frequency of hate crimes, leaving an indelible mark on the social fabric of the nation. This unsettling trend has manifested itself in various arenas, from political rhetoric to televised news broadcasts and the virtual realms of social networking.”
They added: “A particularly alarming aspect is the unabashed use of divisive language, dehumanising terms, and demonisation directed towards minority communities. Such discourse has reached a point of deep concern for these faculty members, who have observed an unfortunate rise in acts of violent hate crimes.”
An open letter from faculty @iimb_official asking corporate India to stop funding hate.
The letter points out that the risk of genocide in India is “no longer close to zero,” and urges corporate India to use its voice to “rise up against hate,” and stand up for fraternity. pic.twitter.com/LmbBsG4yW4
— Deepak Malghan (ದೀಪಕ ಮಲಘಾಣ್) (@deepak_malghan) August 8, 2023
The letter also said: “These acts are often perpetrated by organised and radicalised groups, targeting marginalised communities. Adding to the gravity of the situation is the perceived inaction of law enforcement and security forces during instances of communal strife.”
It added: “The acquittal or pardoning of individuals involved in abhorrent acts during prior episodes of unrest has sparked widespread concern. This perceived lack of accountability, coupled with an unsettling silence from authorities, highlights a concerning complacency rather than the expected urgency exhibited by the government.”
The faculty members also said in the letter: “The implications of these disquieting trends extend beyond the immediate sphere, also impacting corporate India. They serve as ominous indicators of an increasing probability of violent conflicts within the country.”
They added: “In the gravest scenarios, these conflicts could escalate into a full-fledged genocide, leaving an indelible scar on India’s social cohesion and economic prosperity. Such a grim outcome has the potential to cast a long shadow over India’s aspirations to achieve international growth and innovation in the 21st century.”
“It is under these circumstances that corporate India is implored to recognise the magnitude of these risks and take decisive action,” added the letter.
The faculty members acknowledged India’s historical legacy of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
However, they emphasise that the risk of large-scale violent conflicts or even genocide was no longer a distant possibility.
The faculty members also pointed out: “The increasing radicalisation of citizens has created an environment conducive to widespread violence, often triggered by unforeseen disturbances.”
They added: “Even in the absence of such catastrophic scenarios, the corroding social fabric resulting from escalating hate speech, dehumanisation, and radicalisation will inevitably contribute to heightened violence and socio-economic instability.”
IIM-B Department of Public Policy Professor Hema Swaminathan, who is one of the signatories, told South First: “There is so much hate speech and violence happening across the country. The media that airs hate speech is also sustained by corporate advertisement, if not directly owned, by large corporate houses. This contributes to radicalisation of the youngsters contributing to social and economic breakdown.”
The faculty members made the following appeals to Corporate India:
Withdraw funding from hate: Refrain from providing financial support to news outlets and social media platforms that disseminate content infused with hatred or that promote genocidal ideas targeting any community.
Champion responsible entities: Undertake an internal assessment to ensure that funds, be it through advertising or donations, are allocated exclusively to stakeholders committed to responsible conduct. This will preclude any support to platforms exacerbating hatred and misinformation.
Foster an inclusive work culture: Incorporate mandatory diversity and inclusion awareness programmes within organisations. This approach would guarantee that their workplaces remain truly welcoming and supportive of individuals from diverse faiths and backgrounds.
Raise voices for unity: Utilise their influential platforms to actively advocate for the preservation of India’s diverse social fabric, democratic institutions, and the nurturing of healthy public discourse. It is imperative to use this influence to stand against hate.
The institute’s Department of Strategy Assistant Professor Prateek Raj told South First: “Some of us are dismayed. We have not seen hate crimes and violence on such a large scale. This letter has been written in our own capacities and has nothing to do with the institution.”
He added: “It is a business school. It is our responsibility to act, and hence we have written a letter to Corporate India highlighting various issues, including increasing hate crime and violence.”
He continued: “The hate speech, violence, and similar trends are a little alarming. The misinformation might lead to mob lynching and other serious crimes that affect the communal harmony of the society.”
He also said: “Most of the advertisements for the media and social media come from corporate leaders. We have urged corporate leaders to avoid funding those media and social media platforms where hate and misinformation are being spread. We need to act responsibly.”
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