IIT-Guwahati protests called off after academic affairs head resigns

Protests by Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Guwahati students over the death of a 21-year-old third-year Bachelor of Technology (BTech) student were temporarily suspended on Sep 11 following the resignation of the head of academic affairs.

The institute's director, Devendra Jalihal, informed students that their requests for the resignation of numerous additional faculty members, including the hostel affairs board vice-chairperson and the assistant deans of student and academic affairs, will be addressed shortly.

However, IIT-Guwahati officials said they have yet to decide whether or not to accept the resignation letter of dean of academic affairs KV Krishna.

Media access to the institute has been restricted by the authorities.

Protests broke out at IIT-Guwahati on Sep 9 following the suicide of Bimlesh Kumar, who was failed in his third year for poor attendance.

"IIT-Guwahati has blatantly neglected its duties," said His father, Ras Bihari Ram Paswan, a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) constable posted in Jharkhand state's Dhanbad. "How could they be so ruthless towards a student who submitted a medical reason for poor attendance and fail him in his third year, not for poor academics but for having low attendance?"

"He had told me that the institute would rusticate him. Like any other student, he too was under stress to excel. But we had never put pressure on him, as he was very intelligent," Bimlesh's father said.

Jalihal offered more freedom in academic procedures, including reconsidering the 75% mandatory attendance regulation by Oct 15.

Moreover, it was agreed that students with backlogs would be able to participate in placements and internships if they resolved their backlogs as soon as possible.

Police have registered a case of unnatural death and questioned faculty and students.

"Bimlesh did not have a roommate. "We are investigating the possible causes of his alleged suicide," a police official said.