IIT Kanpur Suicide: No TA-duty for PhDs, review of labs, investigation – students make 11 demands

NEW DELHI: An open general body meeting at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has led to 11 demands from students for the administration. The meeting was called after the suicide a PhD scholar, Ankit Yadav. Among their demands is one for the suspension of a professor, closure of the lab where Yadav conducted his research and a committee to investigate the case. They also want “TA-duty” paused.

Yadav, a PhD scholar in IIT Kanpur’s chemistry department, died by suicide on February 10. Students accuse a professor for allegedly driving him to it. Also on Wednesday, they held a candlelight vigil, both to honour Yadav and as a protest against the administration.

According to the minutes of the general body meeting, shared with students over email and accessed by Careers360, students demand immediate suspension of the professor, a committee with members from outside IIT Kanpur to investigate the case and that recordings of video cameras installed in the lab be backed up and copies submitted to the committee. This comes after students from the chemistry department wrote to the director blaming the professor for mental harassment. 10 PhD students and one post doctoral student have left the lab, claim students.

Yogesh RG Singh, general secretary, PG, Academics and Career Council, IIT Kanpur said, “The discussions in the General Body Meeting will be taken to the administration. Since the director is out of station for the Board of Governor meeting so once he is back to the campus, the rest of the proceedings can be taken up including the investigative committee formation and other investigation.”

Students demand that there be no communication between the professor and his research associates or post docs until the investigation is over.

IIT Kanpur Student Death: Demand for SOP

Singh stated that postgraduate students of the chemistry department of IIT Kanpur are gathering feedback from other students on the work environment in the lab.

“Further investigation is still needed and action will be taken accordingly. Students are collecting testimonials in reference to the professor and his lab. The professor's lab is closed until and unless further investigation is done,” he added.

Students are also demanding a set of guidelines or policy to address the issues of students unable to manage. “A standard operating procedure or guideline from the administration in terms of protocols, including the timings, will help to ensure students' mental well-being is looked into seriously,” said Singh.

Students demand “ no TA duty by PhD students” until the suspension of the professor is in effect.

Further minutes also stated that the committee must not include faculty members from any institute but must be composed of people from the administrative, foreign or police services, defence officials or senior lawyers. This, the minutes say, will “ensure independence and a fair investigation”.

IIT Kanpur ICS: Alleged ‘Breach of trust’

Students have also demanded for an Open House only consisting of students to collect feedback to understand the situation and a review of all the labs.

They claim that students’ trips to counsellors have been communicated to professors in alleged breaches of confidentiality.

“Students have received calls from supervisors regarding their visit to the Institute Counseling Service (ICS), which has led to this belief of a breach of confidentiality. There have also been reported cases of misbehaviour by the Head, ICS with students who have visited the ICS, ” the minutes state.

Students demand an ICS feedback form to collect details about the services along with a portal where students can anonymously chat with counsellors online.

If you know someone – friend or family member – at risk of suicide, please reach out to them. Those in distress or having suicidal thoughts or tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling 9820466726 or visiting AASRA’s official website or can call iCALL on 9152987821. Here are some more helpline numbers of suicide prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.