IIT-Bombay students protest overnight after 2nd-year student dies by suicide

Fresh protests have been organised on the IIT-Bombay campus on Saturday morning as several students continued their demonstration through the night after a second-year student died by suicide. The student’s parents, who are from Yavatmal, reached the campus on Saturday.They called the incident as a case of casteism and 'institutional torture', claiming that their son would not have taken such an extreme step. They reportedly sought a CID inquiry into the matter and demanded action against officials they held responsible for their son’s death.Campus residents will be organising candlelight march later in the day and students plan to continue with the protest till some substantial action is taken.The student had been caught with a mobile phone during his exam on Friday. While students alleged that he was threatened with suspension, IIT-Bombay, in a statement issued on Friday night, said no disciplinary action was initiated against him. "The matter was also discussed with the student by the instructor and the head of the department, who counselled him and assured him that the incident would not adversely affect his academic career," mentioned the institute's statement. The mid-semester examinations scheduled for Saturday was postponed. An accidental death report was filed by the Powai police.The institute director, Shireesh Kedare, had an interaction with the students in the convocation hall in the early hours of Saturday. Students, however, continued with the protest near the main gate.During the protests, students demanded accountability and stronger mental health support on campus. They sought the resignation of the director, dean of student affairs and the exam invigilator who was on duty in the student’s class. They also demanded that an institutional task force be set up to address the incident and sought an independent inquiry into the last four student suicides, along with public disclosure of its findings.Students also called for compulsory mental-health sensitisation workshops for professors and sought measures to ensure the smooth functioning and accessibility of the institute’s wellness centres.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Mumbai | Silver Rate in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai | Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Petrol Price in Mumbai | Diesel Price in Mumbai | CNG Price in Mumbai | LPG Price in MumbaiStay updated with the latest Mumbai news. Download the TOI App.