IIT Guwahati student death: Dean resigns; admin allows failed students to join placements, internships

NEW DELHI: Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) dean of academics affairs (DOAA) KV Krishna has resigned from his position amid the ongoing students' protest against the fourth on-campus death of a BTech third-year student. In response to the demands put forward in open house, the administration has decided to allow students, who were declared failed in exams, to take part in the campus placements, internships.

They will also be given a second chance to appear in supplementary exams to avoid repeating the whole course, a student told Careers360.

A third-year computer science engineering student was found dead in the hostel at IIT Guwahati campus. A protest erupted after the IIT Guwahati news on student death. A large section of students gathered in front of the administrative block demanding justice and immediate and transparent complaint redressal.

The IIT Guwahati director said that the decision to fail students due to attendance will be withdrawn, backlogs will be removed, and they will be allowed to participate in placements and internship. Protesting students attributed the increase in students’ deaths on campus to academic pressure, mandatory 75% attendance rule, and backlogs. The BTech student’s death is second in a month and 4th in a year.

Also read 75% attendance rule, backlogs reasons for IIT Guwahati student death, classmates call out instructor

“Many of our demands have been accepted and the DOAA (Dean of Academics Affairs) has resigned. Like FA (Failure due to Attendance) and FD (Failure due to Disciplinary Committee) grades have been removed permanently,” the student said.

“The alleged Professor will not take any UG/PG classes. Option of Supplementary exams is given rather than repeating the whole course!”

The IIT-G student agenda submitted yesterday ahead of open house had three immediate demands and 15 long-term demands. Resignation of DOAA and professor Vinay Wagh, formal apology from administration to the affected students, and written assurance from DOSA regarding immediate redressal of issues, were among the short-term or immediate demands. Relaxation in 75% attendance policy, review of Code of Conduct with a student and faculty, right to speech, transparent complaint redressal, mid-semester break were among the demands.