4 days ago
IIT Delhi Warns Action Amid Protests Over Student Death
Students at IIT Delhi are protesting after 31-year-old student Rishikesh Kumar allegedly died by suicide on August 22.
They want an independent investigation into what happened.
They are also asking for action against some institute officials, resignations and money for Kumar’s family.
The institute says the protest grew larger on the night of August 27.
Director Rangan Banerjee said protesters gathered near faculty homes and used threatening language.
He warned that students who disturb classes, activities or residential areas may face disciplinary action.
Students disagree with this description and say their march was meant to seek support and solidarity.
They also say campus committees and mental-health services have not worked well enough.
IIT Delhi has reconstituted its outside investigation panel with retired judge Mukta Gupta as chair.
IIT Delhi Director Rangan Banerjee warned of disciplinary action over alleged disruption of campus activities and residential areas.
Banerjee said protesters gathered outside faculty housing from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on August 27 and used threatening slogans.
Students are protesting the alleged suicide of 31-year-old MSc Physics student Rishikesh Kumar, who died on August 22.
Students demand an independent inquiry, action against officials, resignations and compensation for Kumar’s family.
IIT Delhi replaced former probe chair Ashok Kumar with retired Delhi High Court judge Mukta Gupta; reports differ on whether protests were in their fifth or sixth day.
- Who
- IIT Delhi Director Rangan Banerjee, protesting students, the institute administration and the family of Rishikesh Kumar.
- What
- Students are protesting Kumar’s alleged suicide and demanding an investigation, accountability, resignations and compensation; the director has warned of disciplinary action over alleged protest-related disruption.
- Where
- The IIT Delhi campus in New Delhi, including faculty residential areas.
- When
- Kumar allegedly died on August 22; the disputed demonstration occurred on August 27, and Banerjee issued his warning on Friday. Reports variously describe the protests as being in their fifth or sixth consecutive day.
- Why
- Students say they are seeking justice for Kumar and changes to campus administrative and mental-health systems; the institute says it is responding to alleged disruption and threatening slogans.
IIT Delhi administration
Protesting students
Description of slogans
IIT Delhi administration
The administration said protesters used unsavoury, humiliating and threatening language outside faculty housing, affecting the safety, privacy and peace of faculty members and their families.
Protesting students
Students rejected the allegation, saying their slogans called on hostels and professors to come out in support. One student said video evidence backed their account.
Possible disciplinary action
IIT Delhi administration
The institute said it would take disciplinary action against individuals disrupting residential areas, classes, academic activities or other campus functions.
Protesting students
Students alleged that police personnel in civilian clothes recorded them during an August 26 meeting, contrary to assurances that protesters would not face action. They described the movement as organic, collective and nonpolitical.
Campus support systems
IIT Delhi administration
The institute said the external inquiry had begun, support for Kumar’s family had been approved, a voluntary fund had been created and an External Ombudsperson was to be appointed.
Protesting students
Students questioned the effectiveness of institute committees and mental-health services, alleging that some support infrastructure existed mainly on paper and that access to relevant data and protocols had been delayed.
Key facts
- Student who died
- Rishikesh Kumar, a 31-year-old MSc Physics student
- Reported death
- Kumar allegedly died by suicide after jumping from a building on the IIT Delhi campus on August 22
- Disputed demonstration
- Banerjee said protesters gathered outside faculty housing from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on August 27
- Student demands
- An independent inquiry, action against institute officials, resignations and compensation for Kumar’s family
- Probe panel
- Retired Delhi High Court judge Mukta Gupta was appointed chair after former Uttarakhand DGP Ashok Kumar recused himself for personal reasons
- Institute measures
- The institute said its External Inquiry committee had begun functioning, family support through its Benevolent Fund had been approved, and a voluntary contribution fund had been created
- Police investigation
- One report said Delhi Police registered an FIR against unknown persons for alleged abetment of suicide
Quotes
Fourth-year B.Tech student
An anonymous IIT Delhi student participating in the protests
“This is the first time that an institution like IIT is seeing this kind of a student uprising, and that has become the problem for the system. We all feel so isolated and haven't been able to fight the current mechanisms. We marched to every hostel and residential area to ask for their solidarity and to ask for changes in a failing system.”
NDTV
“The Director has always been a person who listens to students. He is actually the only person in the administration who listens to us. Irrespective of whether he agrees or disagrees, he at least listens to us and is open to dialogue.”
NDTV
Protesting students
Students protesting the death of Rishikesh Kumar
“Investigation, Compensation and Resignation.”
republicworld.com
Sources
IIT Delhi Director Warns Of Action Over 'Escalation' In Student Protests
'Threatening slogans': IIT-D Director warns of action against protesting students
IIT Delhi director warns of disciplinary action over 'threatening slogans' during student protest
IIT Delhi Director Warns of Action Against Protesting Students
IIT Delhi Director Warns Protesting Students of Disciplinary Action Amid Agitation Over Student's Death
IIT Delhi Student Protest: Director Warns Of Disciplinary Action Over 'Threatening Slogans' Amid Probe Into Student’s Death
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