IIT Madras ‘evasive’ in addressing alleged suicides on campus: ChintaBar

NEW DELHI: In another unfortunate incident, a BTech student of Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) died by suicide on Tuesday. This is the second suicide case reported in a month and fourth in a last two years at IIT Madras campus.

ChintaBar, a student body recognised by IIT Madras, in a statement said that three of these cases (in two years) happened in the hostels and one when the student was at home.

“When these incident happened, the official mail from the institute never mentioned that the deaths happened by suicide. By not mentioning the term ‘suicide’, the institute administration is being evasive in addressing such serious matter and taking a step back from resolving the academic and non-academic difficulties faced by the students,” it said.

“We are deeply saddened to convey the tragic and untimely passing away of a third year BTech student of Electrical Engineering Department this morning (14.3.2023). The insitute is in touch with the parents of student and we request everyone to respect the privacy of the bereaved family at this moment,” the copy of the mail by IIT Madras dean was accessed by Careers360.

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In February 19, a resolution was passed by the SLC which demanded a study conducted by an external committee in order to understand the continuing suicides in the institute.

In the aftermath of Fatima Lateef’s suicide in November 2019, the dean assured that a standard procedure will be established, a mental health study will be undertaken by expert committee and that the administration will revive the grievance redressal cell.

The students group claimed that it had asked for an update in June 2021, however, there was no response from the institution.

The student pursuing third-year MS in Power Electronics at IIT Madras was found hanging from the ceiling of his room. Another student studying in MS in electrical engineering died by suicide on February 13, 2023.