The IIT-Bombay Ambedkar-Periyar-Phule study circle said in a statement that the IIT(M) administration should take responsibility and resign.
In a tragic incident, a second-year student from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Chennai died by suicide on the hostel campus on Friday, 21 April.
This is the fourth case of suicide involving the premier institute in a little more than two months.
The student was identified as Kedar Suresh, a resident of Maharashtra. He was pursuing BTech in Chemical Engineering.
According to the police, the student was found dead in his room at the Cauvery hostel. The incident came to light after his roommates alerted the hostel administration.
The Kooturpuram police rushed to the spot and sent the body for autopsy. An FIR was registered under Section 174 of the CrPC in this regard.
Further investigation is on. The police also said that no suicide note was found in his room.
The IIT-Madras administration conveyed its condolence to the bereaved.
It said in a statement: “We are deeply anguished to convey the untimely passing away of an undergraduate student from the Chemical Engineering Department in the afternoon of 21, April 2023, in his hostel room.”
It added: “The institute has lost one of its own, and the professional community has lost a good student. The reason for the demise is unknown. The police are investigating. The parents have been informed.”
The Ambedkar-Periyar-Phule study circle of IIT Bombay in a statement said that the administration of IIT(M) should take responsibility and resign.
“They have failed to create support systems and proper grievance redressal mechanisms,” it said.
The body of 31-year-old IIT student Sachin Kumar Jain, a research scholar in the Mechanical Engineering Department, was found in his rented accommodation at Velachery in South Chennai on 31 March.
A Joint Action Committee (JAC) was formed to inquire about the death of Jain after allegations were raised that he was subjected to pressure by his research guide.
On 13 March, third-year B Tech student Pushpak Srisai, a native of Andhra Pradesh studying in the Electrical Engineering Department, died by suicide on the campus.
On 14 February, Steven Sunny (25), a second-year MS research scholar in the Electrical Engineering Department, who hailed from Navi Mumbai in Maharashtra, was found dead in his hostel room.
On the same day, another first-year BTech student was admitted to a hospital after a suicide attempt, but he survived.
IITM Director V Kamakoti
Following the suicides, the IIT-Madras management constituted a standing Institute Internal Inquiry Committee, which includes elected student representatives, to look into such incidents.
Earlier this week, the IIT(M) launched the “Happiness” website and conducted wellness sessions for students on its 64th institute day.
Speaking at the function, its director V Kamakoti said that the initiative was taken to help students overcome their problems.
“As we rebooted our campus after Covid-19, we are challenged with an unprecedented number of unfortunate events and in the coming year, our focus will be to bring more and more happiness and peace to our campus,” Kamakoti said.
If you need support or know someone who has suicidal thoughts, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist or can contact the helpline numbers of suicide prevention organizations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families. Tamil Nadu State health department’s suicide helpline: 104 Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre – 044-24640050 Vandrevala foundation for mental health – 999966555
(With PTI inputs)
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