Protests erupt at IIT Guwahati after another student commits suicide, students allege administration of academic pressure

Students at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati staged a protest after a third-year Bachelor of Technology (BTech) student was found dead in his hostel room on Sep 9, the second such incident to occur on campus within a month.

The 21-year-old deceased from Uttar Pradesh was enrolled in the Computer Science and Engineering program. On Sep 9, police were informed that he was found dead in his room.

The circumstances surrounding the death are being investigated, and the body has been sent in for a post-mortem, said the police.

In a statement released on Sep 9, the IIT Guwahati administration stated that it is "working closely with the police to investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragic event."

Hundreds of students protested in front of the administration building, alleging that pressure from the administration led to their fellow student's demise.

“There is a lot of rage among the students because this is the second suicide in the course of a month. We want the deans and the directors to meet us and address our concerns," said one of the student protesters.

Protesters claimed the dead student was one of many who failed a course last winter because he didn't meet the attendance requirement, and as a result, he was barred from internships, which they said caused him difficulty.

“We need the administration to take responsibility and understand our needs. When the last student suicide had taken place, the administration did not take responsibility for anything; we only got to know about it from outside,” said another student protester.

A statement issued by the institute stated, “IIT Guwahati reaffirms its commitment to fostering a supportive and safe environment for all students. Extended counseling support is available, enabling students to meet with counselors after class hours if needed. IIT Guwahati remains dedicated to prioritizing the mental health and well-being of our student community during these challenging times.”

On Aug 9, a 23-year-old MTech student from Uttar Pradesh was found dead in her hostel room.

In April 2024, a 20-year-old BTech student from Bihar was discovered dead in his hostel room, who was also suspected to have died by suicide.