IIT Bombay students protest after third suicide in seven months
Over 400 students gathered on campus to protest against the administration following the news of a student's death.
A 19-year-old second-year student at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, or IIT Bombay, died on Friday. The student was found dead in his hostel room. The police have initially reported it as a case of suicide. A few hours before the incident, the student was found using a mobile phone in the examination hall. Following the news of the student's death, over 400 students gathered on campus and protested against the administration. After the students' protest, the mid-semester examinations being conducted at the institute were postponed.
The death of a student in February, a second suicide at the beginning of the new semester in July, and now this third tragic incident in September have put the entire education system, academic pressure, and the institute's mental health mechanisms under scrutiny. Students are questioning why anyone would commit suicide if there is no mental pressure.
The student was studying in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering at IIT Bombay and resided in hostel number 4. On Friday, he had gone to take the mid-semester examination. According to the IIT Bombay administration, the student was found using a mobile phone during the examination.
One of the student's parents said,
We want answers regarding our son's death. He was our only child. He was not one to give up. He was a struggling student from a very poor family. Until we get an explanation for his death, we will not leave the main gate of the institute. We are prepared to face any action from the authorities and will continue to fight for justice for our son.
The parents also alleged that discrimination occurring on campus could be one of the reasons for their son's death. Meanwhile, students have started a social media campaign demanding justice and questioning the circumstances surrounding the incident.
In an official statement, the institute said,
The student had uploaded the examination paper on ChatGPT and attempted to obtain answers through it. After being found using a mobile phone in the examination hall, the concerned teacher and head of the department had a conversation with the student.
IIT Bombay administration claimed that no disciplinary action was initiated against the student. According to the institute, the teacher and head of the department counseled the student and assured him that this incident would not adversely affect his academic career.
The institute stated,
During the day, the student was found using a mobile phone in the examination hall. He had uploaded the examination paper on ChatGPT to obtain answers. No disciplinary action was initiated against the student. The concerned teacher and head of the department spoke with the student, counseled him, and assured him that this incident would not adversely affect his academic career.
According to the statement, after the conversation, the student returned to his hostel room. Later in the evening, he was found dead in his room. Upon receiving information about the incident, the institute's officials and police were notified.
An officer from the Powai police station stated that the examination ended around 4 PM. After that, the student went to his hostel room. The police were informed later in the evening that he had been found dead. A police team arrived at the hostel and conducted a panchnama of the room. The student's body was sent for post-mortem to Rajawadi Hospital in Mumbai. The police have initiated an investigation. The circumstances and events related to the student's death are being examined. However, no information about the recovery of a suicide note has been reported so far. Officials have not confirmed any single reason behind the student's death. There has also been no conclusion regarding a direct link between the incident in the examination hall and the student's death before the investigation is completed.
As news of the student's death spread, a large number of students began to gather on the IIT Bombay campus. Over 400 students congregated near the main building of the institute and raised slogans against the administration. The protesting students were demanding a meeting with the director of the institute.
The protest continued late into the night. Around 10:30 PM, IIT Bombay Director Professor Shirish Kedare met with the protesting students. Following this, the students' assembly was moved to the convocation hall located in front of the main building, where discussions took place between the students and the administration.
According to the students participating in the protest, they were upset that despite the student's death, examinations and other activities at the institute continued as usual. The students stated that the administration should show more sensitivity after such serious incidents and provide mental and emotional support to affected students.
A protesting student said,
Students have previously raised questions about the normal functioning continuing after such a serious incident as a student's death at the institute. Many students raised the same issue on Friday night as well. Following the protest and discussions with the administration, it was announced that the ongoing mid-semester examinations would be postponed.
Different claims have also emerged from students and the institute administration regarding the incident.
Some students claimed that the student was caught looking at another student's answer sheet during the examination and was asked to leave the examination hall. The students also alleged that the officials had informed him about potential disciplinary action, including suspension.
However, IIT Bombay denied these claims. The institute stated that,
The student was not looking at another student's answer sheet but was using a mobile phone. He had uploaded the question paper on ChatGPT to seek answers. The administration reiterated that no disciplinary action was initiated against the student and he was assured that this incident would not affect his academic future.
In light of the discrepancies between the administration's statement and the students' claims, there are calls for a fair investigation into the entire sequence of events that occurred before the incident. Students want to know what kind of conversation took place with the student after he was caught in the examination hall, which officials were present at that time, and what information was provided to him under the institute's rules.
IIT Bombay expressed its sorrow over the student's death in its official statement. The institute said, “
IIT Bombay is deeply saddened by the loss of a student. The institute is providing support to the deceased's friends, classmates, teachers, and others affected by this tragic incident. The circumstances surrounding the student's death are being investigated by the relevant authorities.”
In view of the situation during the protest, the police were also called to the campus. Students remained on campus late into the night, demanding accountability, transparency, and better mental health support for students. Currently, the police investigation and post-mortem report are awaited. More clarity regarding the circumstances surrounding the student's death will emerge only after the investigation is completed.
Note: Individuals facing mental stress or emotional distress should reach out to a trusted person, mental health professional, or available emergency assistance services.