IIT Delhi Students Protest After MSc Student’s Death, Demand Accountability and Independent Inquiry

tudents at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi staged a rare protest following the death of a 31-year-old MSc Physics student, Rishikesh, who allegedly died by suicide after falling from the sixth floor of a campus building.

The protest began around 9 a.m. on Monday, when students gathered near the Lecture Hall Complex. By evening, nearly 300 students had moved to the first-floor lobby of the institute’s main building, outside the director’s office.

The demonstration marked an unusual show of student mobilisation at IIT Delhi, where protests are relatively uncommon. Students called for greater accountability from the administration and raised concerns about campus safety and the support systems available to students.

According to students, Rishikesh’s death was the eighth suspected suicide at the institute since 2023. Protesters demanded the resignation of a Dean and Associate Deans and called for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The students also urged the administration to take stronger measures to address concerns affecting student well-being and create a safer campus environment.

The protest follows growing discussions at educational institutions across India about student stress, mental health support and institutional accountability. Students at IIT Delhi are now seeking concrete action from the administration rather than assurances alone.