Hundreds of students at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi gathered on Monday and protested outside the director’s office, demanding accountability from the institute administration after the death of a 31-year-old MSc Physics student, Rishikesh, who died by suicide on campus.
The protest began around 9 a.m. near the Lecture Hall Complex and grew throughout the day. By evening, nearly 300 students had gathered in the first-floor lobby of the institute’s main building, outside Director Rangan Banerjee’s office.
The students said they were not protesting because of one death alone. They pointed to what they described as a longer pattern of student deaths and alleged administrative indifference.
Students demand action after eighth reported suicide since 2023
According to the protesting students, Rishikesh’s death was the eighth suicide at IIT Delhi since 2023.
They demanded the resignation of Professor Sreedevi Upadhyaula, Associate Dean of Student Welfare, along with the resignation of other concerned Deans and Associate Deans. They also called for an independent inquiry into the deaths and demanded Rs 1 crore in compensation for Rishikesh’s family.
“We are not here after one suicide. Not after two. We are here after eight,” a student said during the protest.
The students said the repeated deaths had raised serious questions about the institute’s student support system and whether students feel safe approaching the administration when they are struggling.
Students raise questions over Rishikesh’s return to campus
During the protest, students also spoke about Rishikesh’s circumstances before his death.
According to students, Rishikesh had taken a semester-long withdrawal earlier this year following the death of his father and had been dealing with mental health difficulties. They said he underwent treatment for more than a month.
Students alleged that when he returned to the hostel in late July, his name had been removed from the hostel rolls because of his withdrawal.
They further alleged that despite having fitness clearances from the hospitals where he had received treatment, he was asked to obtain another clearance from the IIT Delhi hospital before being given hostel accommodation.
As a result, students said, Rishikesh eventually had to stay in rented accommodation outside the campus with his mother.
These claims were among the main issues raised by students as they questioned whether the institute had provided adequate support during his return to campus.
‘Lack of empathy’ alleged by students
Students accused the administration of not responding sensitively to their concerns.
One student alleged that whenever students tried to raise problems, they were told to leave if they could not cope with the pressure.
Students said such responses created a feeling that the administration was more focused on academic rules than on students’ well-being.
The protesters argued that students should be able to approach university authorities without feeling judged or dismissed.
Classes cancelled as protest grows
As the protest gained momentum, the administration cancelled all classes on Monday.
The demonstration initially remained near the Lecture Hall Complex, where students gathered, discussed their demands and observed a brief silence in memory of Rishikesh.
Later in the day, the protest moved towards the main building.
By around 5 p.m., the first-floor lobby outside the director’s office had become the main centre of the demonstration.
Director Rangan Banerjee had already received the students’ list of demands and began meeting student representatives. Professor Sreedevi was also present during the discussions.
Director announces inquiry committee
At around 5:30 p.m., Banerjee came out of his office as students gathered outside.
The students initially cheered when he announced that an inquiry committee would be formed to examine the matter.
However, the mood changed when Banerjee said that Professor Sreedevi would not resign at that stage.
Students responded with hoots and raised their voices, insisting that accountability should include action against those responsible for student welfare.
Professor Sreedevi was later escorted out of the building through a back entrance.
“If she can’t face us, how will she solve our problems?” a student asked.
Another student questioned why students were punished for academic shortcomings while officials were not similarly held accountable when students felt unsafe approaching them.
Students unhappy with Rs 6 lakh compensation
Compensation was another major point of disagreement.
The students had demanded Rs 1 crore for Rishikesh’s family.
Banerjee announced that the institute would provide Rs 6 lakh, along with reimbursement of all medical expenses incurred by Rishikesh, to his mother, who is a single parent. The announcement did not satisfy the protesters.
One student argued that the amount would not provide enough support to a family that was already facing financial difficulties.
The students continued to demand greater financial assistance and accountability from the institute.
What happened on Saturday?
According to a preliminary police inquiry, Rishikesh entered the IIT Delhi campus through the main gate at around 8 a.m. on Saturday.
Police said he then went to the Lecture Hall Complex and took a lift to the sixth floor.
He allegedly jumped from the front side of the building.
The incident resulted in his death.
Police have described it as an alleged suicide, and further details surrounding the incident are part of the ongoing inquiry.
Second reported student suicide at IIT Delhi this year
Rishikesh’s death was reportedly the second alleged suicide at IIT Delhi in 2026.
In March, a 19-year-old BTech student was found dead inside his apartment on the campus.
Students have linked the latest death to their wider concerns about mental health support, administrative response and student welfare at the institute.
The protesters are now seeking an independent examination of the circumstances surrounding student deaths and the systems available to students facing personal, academic or mental health difficulties.
Students seek answers beyond one incident
The Monday protest was unusual for IIT Delhi, where large student demonstrations are not common.
The size of the gathering showed the depth of anger among students, particularly over what they described as repeated deaths and a lack of meaningful institutional response.
The students’ demands go beyond the circumstances of Rishikesh’s death. They want the administration to examine whether existing student welfare mechanisms are working, whether students returning after medical or personal difficulties are being adequately supported, and whether students have a safe and responsive channel for raising concerns.
The institute has announced an inquiry committee, but the students have made it clear that they are seeking independent investigation, stronger accountability and changes to the student support system.
For the IIT Delhi community, the protest has brought renewed attention to a difficult question: how should premier educational institutions respond when students face severe personal and mental health struggles, and what more can be done before a crisis turns into a tragedy?
Also Read: Protesting Students Reach Jharkhand Assembly After Session Ends, Congress Condemns Police Action https://www.vibesofindia.com/jharkhand-assembly-student-protest-congress-police-action/
