The death of a 21-year-old IIT Guwahati student sparked anger and protest that swept the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati campus. The student death is the 4th at the prestigious institutions this year, prompting worries about well-being.
Friends Allege Insensitivity
Friends and fellow students have criticized the administration for their insensitive handling of the case. They said they were not allowed to break the hostel room door. Where he was found dead, and inform his family.
- They claim that no one opened the door for 30 minutes. Security personnel were reluctant to check for vitals.
- They claimed that the administration was attempting to prevent them from alerting his family and possibly destroying video evidence.
IIT-Guwahati Responds
The institute deeply grieves the loss of a student. The institute extended condolences to the family. The university maintained in a statement that it will remain focused on the mental health and well-being of its students.
Scholarships for Engineering Students in India
After the death of a student at IIT Guwahati by suicide, around 3,000 students gathered to protest over the matter in front of the institute's Admin building.#IITGuwahati #Protest #Student pic.twitter.com/3hGc7Efy3l
— Pratidin Time (@pratidintime) September 9, 2024
The incident led to large-scale protests on campus with students questioning the efficacy of its mental health support systems. The student’s death has brought back the focus on alarming levels of academic pressure among students in premier institutes.
Need for Change
This tragedy should be a wake-up call to start the conversation about mental health. Better support structures, more openness to discussion, and a performance culture that cares about well-being beyond grade points are necessary.
