IIT Delhi postpones mid-semester exams following recent student suicide

NEW DELHI: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has postponed the mid-semester exams scheduled from February 21 - 24 in view of the impact of the recent suicide case of MTech student Varad Sanjay Nerkar on other students. Now, the exams will be held from February 26 to 29. The institute also said that no classes or labs should be planned for this week. The decision was taken in a meeting with the student representatives earlier today.

“Dear fellow IITian, Varad Sanjay Nerkar’s suicide has left all of us in deep anguish. This trauma has particularly affected students preparing for their mid-semester exams,” said an email from the institute.

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“In light of this, based on discussions with all the student representatives and with their consensus today, the mid-semester exams scheduled from Wed-21st through Sat-24th are rescheduled to Mon-26th through Thurs-29th. No classes or labs should be planned for the rest of this week,” the mail added.

IITD’s MTech student who was pursuing polymer science and technology was found hanging in his hostel room.

IIT Delhi student suicides, enquiries

After a condolence meeting held at IIT Delhi on February 19, all student representatives gheraoed the director and demanded an open house, enquiry committee, among other demands. The director listened to the demands of students and later the dean informed students about an open house via mail. Accordingly, an open house will now be held on February 22 at 5 pm in the OAT.

Students were seen with placards saying 'condolence meetings are not enough', ‘we have not come here to die’, ‘justice for Varad’, ‘institutional murder since January 2023’ among other things.

One of the pamphlets made by students mentioned the demands raised by students in detail. It said, “The institute must assure us that there will be no more deaths. It is the responsibility of everyone here to defend the cause of a dignified life, a life preferable to death.”

As per the demands mentioned, the students want the director to:

• Set up an enquiry committee to investigate the cause of MTech student’s suicide including the accusations made against his guide and to take appropriate action based on the findings.
• Not hold minor exams in ‘graveyard’ and conduct an open house for all PG students immediately addressing the problem of alleged harassment by guides and faculty.
• Disclose the findings of previous enquiries regarding the death of Ayush Ashna, Anil Kumar, and Panav Jain as well as measures taken to address the suicides on campus.