SFI demands probe in IIT Kharagpur suicide cases; third death in 15 days

NEW DELHI: The Students Federation of India (SFI) has demanded proper inquiry on the recent suicide cases at Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur). The central executive committee of the SFI has also urged the government to implement institutional mechanisms to address the mental health of students.

The request from the students federation comes days after the death of Mohammed Asif Quamar, a 21-year-old civil engineering student, who allegedly died by suicide in his hostel room of the IIT Kharagpur campus.

This is the second death by suicide case in 15 days and third in a row at the technology institute this year after Aniket Walker, a fourth-year student and Shaon Malik, a third-year student, both were found dead in their hostel room in separate incidents.

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Recently, IIT Kharagpur announced that it is in the process of forming a committee to start a probe into the “Unnatural deaths” at the engineering institution.

“The suicide cases in IITs across the country are alarmingly high, highlighting the need of immediate intervention on mental health issues concerning the students of higher educational institutions. A recent committee set-up by IIT Delhi flogs "post-coaching burnout, toxic competitiveness, relentless academic demand and culture marked by caste and gender based discrimination" among the key triggers of suicides in IITs,” the SFI said.

The federation also said that the union government and the minister of education should adopt “a holistic approach” in dealing with the issue and requested the authorities to consult students over the incidents and form a functional, helpful mechanism to address their concern without fear.