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The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has been engulfed in protests following the tragic death of a 21-year-old student. The incident has sparked outrage among students who accuse the administration of being insensitive towards the student's well-being and their families. The deceased student, hailing from Uttar Pradesh, was found dead in his hostel room, marking the fourth such incident reported at the institute this year.
The protesting students allege that the administration's focus on academic performance has overshadowed the well-being of students on campus. A student, who witnessed the aftermath of the incident, recounted that they were prevented from breaking open the hostel room door despite seeing their friend hanging from a fan. The security staff allegedly delayed the opening of the door for 30 minutes, showing little concern for the student's life. They also reportedly prevented a nurse from checking the deceased student's pulse.
Adding to the students' grievances, they allege that they were not allowed to contact the deceased student's family and that the administration attempted to delete video evidence of the situation. Furthermore, the body was not removed from the hostel room until eight hours after the door was opened. These accusations have led to widespread anger and frustration amongst the student body, who are demanding accountability from the institute's administration.
Following the incident, students have raised serious concerns about the effectiveness of the institute's mental health and welfare support systems. The death has highlighted the pressure students face at IITs, where academic excellence is often prioritized over mental well-being. The administration has issued a statement expressing sorrow over the student's death and offering condolences to the family and friends. However, they have not yet responded to the allegations of mishandling the situation and failing to provide adequate support to students.