1 week ago
IIT Delhi Students Protest Mental Health Neglect After Suicide
Students at IIT Delhi are protesting after a student named Rishikesh Kumar died by suicide.
They say the institute did not provide enough support for his mental health problems.
They allege that he lost his hostel place and had trouble getting required academic projects.
They also say his requests to pause or restart his studies were handled in a difficult way.
IIT Delhi says his request to withdraw from two semesters was approved.
The institute has created a panel to investigate what happened.
It has offered ₹6 lakh to support his family and plans to seek more donations.
The students want a larger payment and action against officials or teachers they blame.
Students began protesting after second-year MSc student Rishikesh Kumar died by suicide on Monday.
Protesters allege that housing, academic projects and withdrawal requests were handled insensitively.
They say IIT Delhi has recorded eight student suicides in the past 30 months.
IIT Delhi says Kumar’s withdrawal request for the second and third semesters was approved.
The institute formed an inquiry panel and offered ₹6 lakh, while students demanded ₹1 crore.
- Who
- IIT Delhi students, the institute administration, and the family of student Rishikesh Kumar.
- What
- Students are protesting alleged neglect of mental health concerns after Kumar’s death by suicide.
- Where
- Indian Institute of Technology Delhi in Delhi, with Kumar also treated at VIMHANS.
- When
- The protest began after Kumar’s death on Monday; the report says eight student suicides occurred over the previous 30 months.
- Why
- Students allege insensitive and bureaucratic handling of mental-health, housing, academic-project and semester-withdrawal issues.
Students and Protesters
IIT Delhi Administration
Handling of semester withdrawal
Students and Protesters
Protesters allege Kumar was asked for a medically unfit certificate that IIT Delhi Hospital denied, and that his requests were handled bureaucratically and insensitively.
IIT Delhi Administration
IIT Delhi says Kumar’s request to withdraw from the second and third semesters was approved.
Hostel accommodation and academic access
Students and Protesters
Students allege that Kumar was denied hostel accommodation and required project opportunities, worsening his isolation and academic difficulties.
IIT Delhi Administration
The administration’s response, as reported, does not accept these allegations; it has instead initiated an inquiry into the case.
Accountability and compensation
Students and Protesters
Students want a fair investigation, action against accused faculty members and officials, and ₹1 crore for Kumar’s family.
IIT Delhi Administration
IIT Delhi has formed an inquiry panel and agreed to provide ₹6 lakh from institute funds while seeking additional donor support.
Key facts
- Student
- Rishikesh Kumar, a second-year MSc student
- Reported suicide cases
- Eight IIT Delhi student suicides in the past 30 months
- Hostel issue
- Protesters say Kumar was removed from the hostel occupancy list and was not allocated an available room
- Mental-health treatment
- He spent a week at IIT Delhi Hospital and a month at VIMHANS
- Institute response
- IIT Delhi formed an inquiry panel and said his withdrawal from the second and third semesters was approved
- Compensation demanded
- Students demanded ₹1 crore for Kumar’s family
- Compensation offered
- The institute agreed to provide ₹6 lakh from IIT funds and seek donor support
Quotes
Protesting students
Students protesting IIT Delhi’s handling of Rishikesh Kumar’s mental-health and administrative concerns
“If this is indeed the case, or appears to be the case to other students, this sets a dangerous precedent for students to not seek help with their mental health struggles to avoid stigmatisation and isolation by the university.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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