IIT-Bombay student death: Protests continue for second day; campus groups seek reforms

The protests at the Indian Institute of Technology IITBombay continued for a second day on SaturdayA secondyear student was found dead on the Powai campus on Friday evening following which students staged protests The student had allegedly been found using a mobile phone during an exam earlier that day Police said the probe is onWe held a candle march for the deceased student and the protest kept going throughout the day We plan to protest tomorrow as well as on Monday depending on the communication we receive from the officials said a thirdyear BTech student on the condition of anonymityWhile students made multiple demands sources told middaycom that they were trying to consolidate their requestsThe protests will be continuing as of now We have asked for changes in the policylevel decisions better handling of students open dialogue and some have even asked for resignations said a campus residentThe deceased students parents were also present on campus and were asking for justice for their only child he addedDemands made by studentsStudent bodies on the campus such as the Ambedkar Periyar Phule Study Circle APPSC have taken to social media platforms and published a list of demands as followsldquoStudents representation in examination and other academic committees where attendance grades course selection and their drop are negotiated through a democratic channelInvestigation and action on all those who are responsible for the death of the studentInstitution of a task force to address student suicides Establishment of a code of conduct in studentsrsquo affairs promoting participation and democracy within campusIndependent inquiry and public disclosure in all ldquofour student suicidesrdquo this yearNo disciplinary actions against students nor ldquointimidationrdquo against those who are protesting for the justice of the student who was found dead in the campus on FridayEnding the normalisation of student suicides Declaring break after midsemester and endsemester examinationsMandatory mental health sensitisation workshop for professors Ensuring smooth functioning of Students Wellness CentreCompensating the deceased studentrsquos familyCreating a web portal for students where students can raise their concerns anonymously and it should be visible to all usersrdquoBackgroundHundreds of campus residents came out of their hostels to stage a demonstration against the administration at IITBombay on Friday night shortly after the news of a students demise surfaced across the campusThe institute released a statement on the incident stating that the student was caught using a mobile phone during the examination on Friday However no disciplinary action was initiated against the student following the incidentStudents across the campus are now seeking administrative reforms improvements to mental health infrastructure compensation for the students family and changes in how student concerns are handledIIT statementIITBombay released a statement earlier on Saturday clarifying that no disciplinary action was initiated against the student The matter was also discussed with the student by the instructor the faculty advisor and the head of the department who counselled him and assured him that the incident would not adversely affect his academic careerThe student subsequently returned to his hostel room Later in the evening he was found dead in his roomThe institute also extended its condolences while clarifying that the circumstances surrounding the death are being looked into by the appropriate authoritiesThe police have filed a first information report FIR and are probing the case furtherNeed help here are suicide prevention helplinesSamaritans Mumbai Monday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm 8422984527Connecting NGO From 10 am to 8 pm 99220043059922001122Snehi From 10 am to 10 pm 93768041021 Life 7893078930Aasra 9820466726