A 21-year-old BTech student from IIT Guwahati was found dead in his hostel room on Monday, marking the second such death on the campus in a month. The student, who was in the Computer Science and Engineering program, was discovered by police on Monday morning. The exact cause of death is under investigation, with the body sent for post-mortem.
In response to the tragic incident, hundreds of students staged a protest outside the administrative building, attributing the death to overwhelming academic pressures. They called for the deans and directors to address their concerns and criticized the administration for not taking sufficient responsibility following the previous student death.
The protesters highlighted that the deceased student had faced academic challenges, including failing a course last winter due to attendance issues, which restricted him from pursuing internships. They expressed frustration over the lack of adequate support and accountability from the administration.
In a statement, IIT Guwahati administration expressed its commitment to investigating the circumstances of the death and ensuring a supportive environment for students. The institute emphasized that extended counseling services are available and reassured students of its dedication to mental health and well-being.
This incident follows a similar tragedy on August 9, when a 23-year-old MTech student from Uttar Pradesh was found dead in her hostel room. Additionally, a 20-year-old BTech student from Bihar was also discovered dead in April, in what was suspected to be a suicide.
The series of deaths has sparked a significant outcry among the student body, who are demanding better mental health support and a review of academic policies to alleviate stress.
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