Bharatwiki Socrates: Created page with "{{Short description|Indian author and former president of the Oxford University Student Union}} {{Use Indian English|date=August 2026}} {{Infobox person | name = Rashmi Samant | birth_place = Udipi, Karnataka, India | education = Manipal Institute of Technology (BTech) Linacre College (MSc) | occupation = Author, columnist, former President of Oxford University Student Union }} '''Rashmi Saman..."

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Created page with "{{Short description|Indian author and former president of the Oxford University Student Union}} {{Use Indian English|date=August 2026}} {{Infobox person | name = Rashmi Samant | birth_place = Udipi, Karnataka, India | education = *Manipal Institute of Technology (BTech) *Linacre College (MSc) | occupation = Author, columnist, former President of Oxford University Student Union }} '''Rashmi Saman..."

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{{Short description|Indian author and former president of the Oxford University Student Union}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2026}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Rashmi Samant
| birth_place = [[Udipi]], Karnataka, India
| education = *[[Manipal Institute of Technology]] ([[BTech]])
*[[Oxford University|Linacre College]] (MSc)
| occupation = Author, columnist, former President of [[Oxford University Student Union]]
}}

'''Rashmi Samant''' is an Indian author and public figure who briefly served as president of the [[Oxford University Student Union|Oxford University Student Union (OUSU)]]. In February 2021, she made history as the first Indian woman elected to the position.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2021-02-12 |title=Karnataka's Rashmi Samant elected president of Oxford Student Union |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/good-news/2021/Feb/12/karnatakas-rashmi-samant-elected-president-of-oxford-student-union-2263182.html |access-date=2026-08-20 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> However, her tenure was short-lived; she resigned five days later following heavy criticism of old social media posts. Samant disputed the characterisation of her posts and the ensuing backlash, describing it as a racially motivated "cyber lynching".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tomlinson |first=Hugh |title=Oxford students union president 'lynched' over old posts |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/article/oxford-students-union-president-lynched-over-old-posts-hf7j5hv8j |work=The Times |access-date=2026-08-20 |language=en-GB}}</ref> Since 2021, she has published two books, including a memoir detailing the controversy, and currently works as an executive director in the insurance broking industry.<ref name="Sharma">{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Unnati |date=2023-10-10 |title=Rashmi Samant's life changed after Oxford row. She's an author, runs a company & is feted in BJP circles |url=https://theprint.in/india/rashmi-samants-life-changed-after-oxford-row-shes-an-author-runs-a-company-is-feted-in-bjp-circles/1797114/ |access-date=2026-08-20 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Early life and education ==
A native of [[Udupi]], Karnataka, Samant studied mechanical engineering at the [[Manipal Institute of Technology]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Karnataka girl first Indian woman to become president of Oxford Student Union |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/karnataka-girl-first-indian-woman-to-become-president-of-oxford-student-union-950641.html |access-date=2026-09-28 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref> She later pursued a Master of Science in [[Energy system]]s at [[Linacre College, Oxford|Linacre College]], Oxford University.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Writer |first=Staff |date=2021-02-13 |title=Meet Rashmi Samant, first Indian female president of Oxford University Student Union |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/world/meet-rashmi-samant-first-indian-female-president-of-oxford-university-student-union-11613227895375.html |access-date=2026-09-28 |website=mint |language=en}}</ref>

== Oxford University Student Union ==

=== Elections ===
Winning 1,966 out of 3,708 votes on 11 February 2021, Samant became the first Indian woman to lead the OUSU.<ref>{{Cite web |last=PTI |date=2021-02-13 |title=Oxford University Student Union gets first Indian female president |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2021/Feb/13/oxford-university-student-union-gets-first-indian-female-president-2263640.html |access-date=2026-08-20 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Krishnankutty |first=Pia |date=2021-03-18 |title=Oxford societies claim Rashmi Samant was asked to resign because of views, not religion |url=https://theprint.in/india/oxford-societies-claim-rashmi-samant-was-asked-to-resign-because-of-views-not-religion/624173/ |access-date=2026-08-20 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref> Her campaign platform advocated for the "[[Decolonization|decolonisation]]" of university syllabi, the removal of "[[Imperialism|imperialist]]" statues on campus, action against institutional homophobia and transphobia, and improved mental health resources.<ref name=":0" />

=== Resignation ===
Just five days after her election, several of Samant's historical social media posts resurfaced, drawing sharp criticism from Oxford's Campaign for Racial Awareness and Equality (CRAE) and the Oxford [[LGBTQ people|LGBTQ+]] society. These groups condemned the posts as racist, anti-Semitic, and transphobic.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boddington |first=Josh |date=2021-03-21 |title='Misleading Narrative': Oxford Indian, Hindu, and South Asian societies release statement on Ex SU President-Elect |url=https://www.oxfordstudent.com/2021/03/21/misleading-narrative-oxford-indian-hindu-and-south-asian-societies-release-statement-on-ex-su-president-elect/ |access-date=2026-08-20 |website=The Oxford Student |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Macilraith |first=Robert |date=2021-02-16 |title=SU President-Elect resigns following growing pressure from students |url=https://www.oxfordstudent.com/2021/02/16/su-president-elect-resigns-following-growing-pressure-from-students/ |access-date=2026-08-20 |website=The Oxford Student |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-02-18 |title=Rashmi Samant resigns as Oxford Student Union President-elect amidst row over her past remarks |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rashmi-samant-resigns-as-oxford-student-union-president-elect-amidst-row-over-her-past-remarks-7194086/ |access-date=2026-09-28 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

In an open apology published on 16 February 2021, Samant stated, "I sincerely apologise to every student who has been hurt by my action or words and seek a chance to gain your trust in me again."<ref>{{Cite news |title=Rashmi Samant Won't Be Oxford Student Union President Amid Racism Row |url=https://www.ndtv.com/indians-abroad/rashmi-samant-wont-be-oxford-university-student-union-president-amid-racism-row-2373320 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220621202513/https://www.ndtv.com/indians-abroad/rashmi-samant-wont-be-oxford-university-student-union-president-amid-racism-row-2373320 |archive-date=2022-06-21 |access-date=2026-08-20 |work=NDTV.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Press Trust of India |title=Rashmi Samant resigns as Oxford University Student Union President-elect |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/rashmi-samant-resigns-as-oxford-student-union-president-elect-amidst-row-over-her-past-remarks-121021800551_1.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20210226185734/https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/rashmi-samant-resigns-as-oxford-student-union-president-elect-amidst-row-over-her-past-remarks-121021800551_1.html |archive-date=2021-02-26 |access-date=2026-09-28 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Investigation ===
Later that year, Oxford University concluded its investigation into the alleged bullying faced by Samant. Her lawyer, Adhitya Srinivasan, confirmed the investigation had ended. While he expressed pleasure with the outcome, he noted that he was precluded from disclosing further details.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chakrabarti |first=Angana |date=17 July 2021 |title=Oxford University concludes probe into Rashmi Samant case, former union president says 'pleased' with outcome |url=https://theprint.in/india/oxford-university-concludes-probe-into-rashmi-samant-case-former-union-president-says-pleased-with-outcome/698096/ |access-date=2026-09-28 |website=theprint.in}}</ref>

== Reactions ==
In the weeks following her resignation, Samant gave several interviews in which she described her treatment as a racially motivated "cyber lynching".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pundir |first=Pallavi |date=2021-03-25 |title=First Indian Woman to Run Oxford's Student Union Hits Back After Being Cancelled |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/oxford-university-indian-student-union-racism/ |access-date=2026-08-20 |website=VICE |language=en-US}}</ref> She argued that "racism now does not overtly but in covert behaviors", maintaining that her posts were "not malicious or racist".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Agrawal |first=Soniya |date=8 March 2021 |title=Racism now covert, says Indian Oxford student facing backlash over 'racist' social media posts |url=https://theprint.in/india/racism-now-covert-says-indian-oxford-student-facing-backlash-over-racist-social-media-posts/617821/ |access-date=2026-08-20 |website=theprint.in}}</ref> She further stated that she was unfairly targeted, and that her family members had been unnecessarily dragged into the controversy by internet bullies, including a faculty member.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-12 |title=No one was ready to listen to me: Udupi 22-yr-old forced to quit as Oxford students' union president |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/no-one-was-ready-to-listen-to-me-udupi-22-yr-old-forced-to-quit-as-oxford-students-union-president-7224598/ |access-date=2026-09-28 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

The situation escalated when Abhijit Sarkar, a postdoctoral history researcher at Oxford's [[New College, Oxford|New College]], published a social media post claiming Samant's conduct was "typical of far-right forces in India". He shared a photograph of her parents framed with the "Jai Shri Ram" slogan, alleging it showed them "celebrating the destruction of a Mosque in India". Sarkar also asserted that followers of '[[Sanātana Dharma|Sanatan Dharma]]' should not be allowed to become OUSU leaders. The Oxford University Hindu Society condemned Sarkar's behaviour, demanding he apologise to Samant and resign from his university position.<ref name=":1" /> A petition signed by 44,000 people called for his removal, and Thames Valley Police opened an investigation after Satish Sharma, representing the Global Hindu Federation, filed a complaint on Samant's behalf citing bullying and incitement of religious hatred.<ref name=":1" />

The controversy also reached the Indian Parliament, where [[Minister of External Affairs (India)|External Affairs Minister]] [[S. Jaishankar|S. Jaishankar]] stated that India would "never turn our eyes away from racism".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mohan |first=Geeta |date=15 March 2021 |title=BJP leaders raise Indian student's Oxford University racism row, vow action when required |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/bjp-leaders-raise-indian-student-s-oxford-university-racism-row-vow-action-when-required-1779454-2021-03-15 |work=IndiaToday}}</ref> IT Minister [[Ashwini Vaishnaw]] described her treatment as a "continuation of attitudes of prejudices from the colonial areas."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Vijaita |date=2021-03-15 |title=India to raise racism with U.K., says Jaishankar |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-to-take-up-with-uk-racism-issues-when-required-jaishankar/article34072325.ece |access-date=2026-08-20 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-15 |title='Rashmi Samant cyberbullied to resign as Oxford Student Union Prez': BJP MP in Parl |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/karnataka/rashmi-samant-cyberbullied-resign-oxford-student-union-prez-bjp-mp-parl-145256 |access-date=2026-08-20 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-15 |title=India to take up with UK racial issue of Rashmi Samant at Oxford |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/diaspora/india-to-take-up-with-uk-racial-issue-of-rashmi-samant-at-oxford-225519/ |access-date=2026-08-20 |website=The Tribune |language=en}}</ref>

Conversely, a joint statement from independent student groups - the Oxford India Society, Oxford Hindu Society, and Oxford South Asian Society clarified that neither Samant's nationality nor her religion prompted the calls for her resignation. They stated the backlash was driven by her 2017 social media posts, not by "an element of racial profiling".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rashmi Samant's Resignation Had Nothing To Do With Her Religion: Oxford Societies |url=https://thewire.in/education/rashmi-samant-resignation-religion-racism-oxford-societies |access-date=2026-09-28 |website=The Wire |language=en}}</ref>

== Post-Oxford life ==
Following her time at Oxford, Samant returned to India, where she works as an executive director in the insurance broking industry. She has since authored two books. Her memoir, ''A Hindu in Oxford'', recounts the 2021 controversy,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-10 |title=Book Review: A Hindu in Oxford |url=https://www.brhat.in/dhiti/hinduinoxford |access-date=2026-08-20 |website=Bṛhat |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=A Hindu in Oxford |url=https://garudalife.in/a-hindu-in-oxford |access-date=2026-08-20 |website=garudalife.in |language=en}}</ref> while her second book is titled ''Ram Janmabhoomi''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ram Janmabhoomi: The Inspiration For Hindu Resurgence (Hindi) by Rashmi Samant {{!}} BluOne Ink Book |url=https://www.bluone.ink/books/ram-janmabhoomi-the-inspiration-for-hindu-resurgence-hindi-9789392209703 |access-date=2026-08-20 |website=bluone.ink}}</ref> ''A Hindu in Oxford'' received positive reception from the [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]], [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh|RSS]], and the Congress party's women's wing, 'Mahila Aayog'.<ref name="Sharma"/>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Samant, Rashmi}}
[[Category:Writers from Karnataka]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian women non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:Alumni of Linacre College, Oxford]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]

Rashmi Samant - Revision history