MUMBAI: Protests continued for the fourth day on Tuesday at IIT-Bombay, as differing views emerged among students over the September 18 suicide of a second-year student who was allegedly caught cheating.
However, four days after the suicide rocked the IIT-B campus, another camp has emerged, this one in support of the IIT administration. They say the Student Welfare Committee should function independently and the dean of student welfare should be a medically qualified professional. The students are also demanding the resignation of the institute’s director, Dr Shireesh Kedare, alleging that there have been four student suicides in less than a year.
They are satisfied with his removal from his administrative responsibilities so that the inquiry could remain independent, they said.
In a statement on social media, the ‘IIT Bombay Student Representatives’ said it was not up to them to decide whether or not Doolla is guilty. They also said the students’ concerns should remain student-led and should not be influenced by political groups. The student protests are aimed at reforms in areas relating to student welfare, according to their statement.
They also welcomed the open house held by the IIT administration on Monday, giving students a chance to raise their voice directly.
One group is firm on the suspension of Prof Suryanarayana Doolla from teaching duties and on an independent investigation into the death. Doolla was the deceased student’s teacher and exam invigilator and has thus far been suspended only from his position as dean of administrative affairs.
