The protesting students alleged that “administrative lapses” had led to the student’s death and demanded that the institute suspend classes at the Lecture Hall Complex (LHC), where his body was found.
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Students at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi on Monday boycotted classes and staged a protest demanding an independent investigation into the alleged suicide of a 31-year-old MSc student, two days after his death on campus.The protesting students alleged that “administrative lapses” had led to the student’s death and demanded that the institute suspend classes at the Lecture Hall Complex (LHC), where his body was found.“Students should not be made to go back to the LHC thinking it is business as usual. The system needs to take a pause,” the students wrote in a note submitted to IIT Delhi Director Rangan Banerjee on Monday.Speaking on condition of anonymity, a student alleged that the administration had been portraying the deceased as mentally unwell instead of taking responsibility.“The administration has been telling us that he was mentally unwell and that the psychiatrists could not do anything to help him, instead of taking accountability. He had been referred to VIMHANS for treatment, after which he was not allocated his hostel room back. He was staying off campus, and this put him under a lot of financial distress,” the student said.Major academic issuesIn the note, the students demanded that the competent authority explain how issues such as the non-allocation of hostel accommodation, the denial of academic projects and an unsupportive hospital administration within a highly competitive academic environment could cause or exacerbate mental distress among students.The students also demanded the resignation of two administrative officials over what they described as “negligence and insensitive comments”.The students sought clear communication from the authorities on measures taken to address mental health on campus, adding: “In the last 30 months, eight IIT Delhi students died by suicide on campus. This pattern points to a systemic problem.”The students added that classes were called off by midday as they gathered at the LHC, and also demanded that no action be taken against those participating in the protest.On Saturday night, the institute expressed its condolences over the student’s death and said the police were investigating the incident.When contacted, IIT Delhi officials did not respond to The Hindu’s queries about the protest, the allegations or the students’ demands.(Those in distress can contact Tele MANAS at 14416 to seek help) Published - August 25, 2026 12:51 am IST
