Why were Delhi Police in plain clothes filming at IIT Delhi?
Protesting students question whose permission allowed Delhi Police officers inside the campus.
IIT Delhi students have alleged that a Delhi Police officer in plain clothes filmed their protest. The protesting students have questioned under whose authority the Delhi Police officer entered the campus. It is noteworthy that IIT Delhi students have been protesting continuously for the past five days following the suicide of student Rishikesh. The protesting students are demanding ₹1 crore compensation for Rishikesh's mother, changes in the hostel allocation policy, and the resignation of the Dean.
The Telegraph reports that the protesting students said,
“This video could be used against the students in the future. This is completely unacceptable.”
IIT Delhi Director Rangan Banerjee shared a recorded interview with a student group with the newspaper. In the video, he says,
“We have not permitted anyone related to campus security to make videos. I have been informed about an incident where someone was making a video. This is not right. He was taken to campus security. I have not allowed Delhi Police to enter the campus.”
It should be noted that the entry of police into the campus requires a call from the institute administration.
A source from Delhi Police stated that orders have been issued to identify the person who entered the campus and filmed the protest. This allegation comes at a time when, five weeks ago, Delhi Police was accused of using excessive force on students peacefully protesting against exam malpractices. The police were accused of beating students with batons, releasing tear gas, and using pellet guns.
Several students reported that on Wednesday evening, they saw a person in plain clothes recording the protest on a mobile phone. When the students stopped him and questioned him, he identified himself as a Delhi Police officer.
A student said,
“We are peacefully protesting within our own campus. There is no law and order issue here. Entry of outsiders into the campus is restricted, so how did the police get permission to enter? We asked him who allowed him to enter the campus and film the protest, but he did not respond. We do not know the purpose of this act, but we consider it police interference.”
Students have been protesting since Monday, demanding the removal of two Associate Deans. The students allege that,
the Associate Dean for Student Welfare made “insensitive” remarks to second-year MSc student Rishikesh and his mother. Rishikesh died by suicide last week by jumping on campus. Students are also demanding the removal of the Associate Dean for Hostel Management. They allege that Rishikesh, who was ill, went to his home in Bihar for a month, after which his hostel room was cancelled.
According to the protesting students, Rishikesh was troubled about his studies, and his depression worsened after he was denied hostel accommodation.
In the video shared with the newspaper, IIT Director Banerjee is seen rejecting the demand for the resignation of the Associate Dean for Student Welfare without “proper investigation.” He says, “The Associate Dean is as accountable as I am. An external committee is investigating this matter. Please wait for the external committee's investigation to be completed.”
Students have demanded ₹1 crore compensation for Rishikesh's family. However, students claim that the IIT Delhi administration has proposed to give ₹6 lakh from its welfare fund and raise some additional amount for the family through a fundraiser. Students want the institute to make a clear commitment to give ₹1 crore to the family and announce a definite timeline for raising this amount.
Students allege that the Associate Dean for Student Welfare has been using hurtful language with many students for years. They are collecting evidence such as emails, text messages, and testimonies from current and former students.
Students have also demanded that the scope of the inquiry committee set up by the institute be expanded to investigate the allegations of insensitive behaviour by administrative officials and staff mentioned in the statement given by Rishikesh's mother to the police. Additionally, students have demanded that the institute declare clear rules and protocols related to mental health and hostel allocation matters.