Director’s resignation to suicide probe: What IIT Bombay students are demanding

Students protesting at the Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay (IIT-B) have submitted a charter of more than 18 demands to the institute’s director, Shireesh Kedare, following the suicide of a second-year BTech student on campus.

The demands go beyond the circumstances surrounding Friday’s death and focus on student safety, disciplinary procedures, mental health support and representation in institute committees.

Kedare accepted the charter during a 90-minute meeting with students on Sunday and assured them that the institute would look into the issues raised. The IIT-B Board of Governors is scheduled to hold a special meeting on Monday to discuss the students’ concerns.

Students seek director’s resignation, independent probe

One of the key demands is Kedare’s resignation. Students have also sought an independent inquiry into the deaths of four students during his tenure.

The protesters want an independent committee comprising professors, student representatives and external members to examine the circumstances surrounding Friday’s suicide. They have demanded that the committee’s findings be made public before September 30.

Students have also sought action against Suryanarayan Doolla, a former dean of student affairs and professor named by the deceased student’s parents in an FIR alleging abetment to suicide on grounds of caste discrimination.

When students demanded Doolla’s suspension during Sunday’s meeting, Kedare said the institute would follow due process.

Focus on suicides and mental health

The student charter also calls for a task force to address suicides on campus. Students have sought changes in how disciplinary matters are handled and greater mental health sensitisation among faculty members and other staff.

The demands come after a series of student suicides at IIT-Bombay, including deaths by hanging.

The administration is also considering replacing ceiling fans in hostel rooms with wall-mounted fans. Officials said the decision had been taken earlier and was not linked to the recent campus suicides.

More say for students in institute decisions

Another major part of the charter concerns student representation.

Students have demanded better representation in academic and non-academic committees that deal with student-related matters. They have also sought voting rights for student representatives and equal representation of students in such committees.

The demands are now set to be discussed by the Board of Governors. After the board meeting, Kedare is expected to hold a town hall with students. All lectures at IIT-Bombay will remain cancelled on Monday as the institute responds to the ongoing protests.