IIT Delhi Student Suicide: AISA alleges hostel denial, lack of project supervision

Students at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi have staged protests following the death of Rishikesh, an MSc Physics student who died by suicide on August 22, the All India Students' Association (AISA) said in a press release. According to AISA, Rishikesh's death is the second student suicide reported on the IIT Delhi campus this year. The organisation alleged that the student's death highlighted concerns over institutional support and alleged lapses in the administration's handling of student welfare.

AISA claimed that students participating in the protests had raised issues including the alleged denial of hostel accommodation to Rishikesh and the institution's alleged refusal to provide supervision for a major project.

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The student organisation also alleged that statements made by some deans placed responsibility on Rishikesh rather than addressing concerns about the institution's role. AISA said students have demanded a proper investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death, along with the resignation of the Dean and Associate Deans.

The protests have brought hundreds of students together on campus, according to AISA. The organisation said the demonstrations were aimed at seeking accountability from the IIT Delhi administration and pressing it to engage with students over their demands. AISA also criticised an email allegedly sent by the IIT Delhi director to students in connection with the protests. The organisation claimed that the communication threatened students with disciplinary action instead of addressing their concerns.

IIT Delhi Director Rangan Banerjee has warned students of disciplinary action over the escalation of protests on campus following the death of MSc student Rishikesh Kumar. In an email to students on Friday (August 28), Banerjee said the situation “escalated significantly” on the night of August 27, when a group of protesters extended their agitation to the campus residential areas and staged demonstrations in front of faculty housing between 10.30 pm and 12.30 am. “The Institute will take disciplinary action against individuals disrupting the peaceful functioning of the campus, including residential areas, classes, academic and other activities,” Banerjee wrote

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IIT Delhi's response insensitive: AISA

Calling the administration's response “insensitive”, AISA demanded that IIT Delhi engage with the protesting students and address their grievances. “Student lives are not a number,” AISA said, adding that Rishikesh's death required a “proper response and investigation”. The organisation said it stood with the demands raised by IIT Delhi students as well as Rishikesh's family and loved ones.

The incident comes amid continuing concerns over student mental health, academic pressure and institutional support at higher education institutions. Student groups have increasingly demanded greater accountability from campus administrations following deaths by suicide. Further details about the circumstances surrounding Rishikesh's death, the administration's response and the findings of any inquiry are awaited.