In the long list of lives claimed by the institutional apathy and systematic failure of our education system comes that of Rishikesh, a MSc Physics student from IIT Delhi.
Rishikesh took his own life on 22nd August and is the second case of student suicides in the campus this year. This institutional murder has led to a massive, resolute reponse from the students of IIT Delhi, who have come together in hundreds to raise their voices against the inhuman injustice done against Rishikesh. The protests have highlighted the denial of hostel facilities to the student and even denied supervision from the institution for a major project. The statements made by several deans have also blamed Rishikesh instead of taking a shred of accountability.
Many demands raised from the protest site have included demand for a proper investigation & resignation of the Dean and Associate Deans. We also very strongly condemn the mail sent by IITD director to the students, threatening them with “disciplinary action” instead of taking accountability. This insensitive attitude towards the demands of the students is reprihensible and must be taken into account. Student lives are not a number, and Rishikesh’s life was lost to institutional apathy that deserves a proper response and investigation. We stand with all demands of the students of IIT Delhi, the family & loved ones of Rishikesh and demand that IIT Delhi administration engage with the students and listen to their voices. AISA
