IIT Bombay has announced that it has not taken any disciplinary action against a second-year undergraduate student who reportedly died by suicide on Friday. The incident has raised concerns within the campus community, prompting discussions about mental health support for students.
The parents of the deceased student joined a protest at the institute’s main gate on Saturday morning, demanding an explanation for his death. It added that the matter had been discussed with the student by the instructor and the head of the department, who counselled him and assured him that the incident would not adversely affect his academic career. This comes after students claimed that the death followed an examination during which the student was allegedly caught looking at another student’s answer sheet and asked to leave the hall. This came as IIT-Bombay students staged overnight protests despite an interaction with the institute director at the Convocation Hall. The parents also alleged discrimination on campus could have been one of the reasons behind their son’s death. Students have started a social media campaign demanding justice and raising questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“No disciplinary action was initiated against the student,” the institute said. They claimed he was subsequently told by officials that he could face disciplinary action, including suspension. The students said they were not satisfied with the discussion and continued their protest. The parents, who joined the protest in the morning, said their son was their only child and demanded that the institute explain what led to his death.
