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Student Death at IIT Guwahati: A third-year computer science student was found dead in his hostel room at IIT Guwahati. Preliminary investigations suggest it could be a case of suicide, but the exact cause is pending a post-mortem report.
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Massive Student Protests Erupt: Following the incident, students at IIT Guwahati protested outside the campus, raising concerns about the mental health challenges students face due to academic pressures and health-related issues. They chanted slogans demanding justice and better mental health support.
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Recurring Tragedy: This is the second death at IIT Guwahati in one month under similar circumstances. An M. Tech student from Uttar Pradesh was also found dead in his hostel room in early August, highlighting a potential mental health crisis on campus.
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Institute's Response and Support Measures: IIT Guwahati has stated that student well-being is a top priority and is working closely with the police on the investigation. The institute offers extended counseling services, easy access to mental health resources via QR codes, and a Peer Mentorship Program to support students.
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Calls for Improved Mental Health Support: The recent incidents and subsequent protests have put a spotlight on the need for stronger mental health support systems in educational institutions, emphasizing that mental health should be prioritized over academic performance.
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A student from the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, died under mysterious circumstances in his hostel room. The 21-year-old student, who hailed from Ballia in Uttar Pradesh, was a third-year computer science and engineering student and was found alone in his hostel room on Monday. Police said the initial findings point to a case of suicide. A post-mortem has been conducted, and results are awaited to establish the cause of death.
Student Protests Over Mental Health Concerns
After the incident came to light, several students held a protest in front of the IIT-Guwahati campus. The protesters shouted slogans on the mentally haranguing situation that a student faces while negotiating academic stress and health issues: "Save lives over grades," "Mental health a right and not a privilege," and "We want justice."
IIT Guwahati students protesting over the sudden demise of a Btech 3rd year student #WeWantJustice #IIT #IITGuwahati@IndiaToday @IndianExpress @ndtv @BBCHindi @bbcnewstelugu @timesofindia @TimesAlgebraIND @htTweets pic.twitter.com/ukXRIdHZhf— Durga Prasad (@IamDurga_Prasad) September 9, 2024
Students were seen protesting outside the campus of IIT Guwahati
The protesting students said the deceased was suffering from mental health problems because of continuous health problems that resulted in low attendance. A Second Death in One Month This incident brings the number of student deaths at IIT Guwahati within a month to two. Earlier this month, on August 9, an M. Tech student also from Uttar Pradesh, was found dead under similar circumstances in his hostel room.
Response of IIT Guwahati
Following the latest incident, IIT-Guwahati issued a statement, without going into details of the death and subsequent protest. The institute expressed it is deeply concerned about the welfare of its students and staff and will cooperate with the police investigation to understand the situation that led to this tragedy.
It went further to say, The well-being of our students is of utmost importance to us, and we are in every way ready to support them with resources that will help overcome the challenges that may be ahead
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From Promising Beginnings to a Tragic End: A Story of Dreams Shattered by College Culture
Growing up, I had a childhood friend from Class 1 who was more like a brother to me. We took different paths after high school—he chose bioscience in Class 12, while I opted for humanities. Despite our different interests, we stayed close, supporting each other's dreams. He was brilliant, always at the top of his class. I chose journalism, and he set his sights on becoming a doctor, preparing for the NEET exam with dedication and determination.
When I was in the middle of my first year of college, he appeared for his first NEET exam. He scored remarkably well, but fate had a different plan. The exam results were canceled due to a paper leak scandal, and the dream college he deserved slipped out of his grasp. Left with no choice, he enrolled in a regular college.
From the first day, he realized this place was not meant for him. The college had a toxic culture—a brutal combination of relentless ragging and an unending race for marks. The environment slowly but surely began to crush his spirit. The boy who once topped his Class 12 board exams was drowning under the pressure. By the end of his first year, he had three backlogs. His confidence was shattered; he felt like a shadow of his former self, lost in a place that was supposed to build him up.
Late one night, he called me. His voice trembled as he talked about how unbearable everything had become—the pressure, the humiliation, the loneliness. He said he felt like he was stuck in a nightmare he couldn't wake up from. I tried my best to comfort him, telling him that things would get better, that he wasn’t alone. We hung up, but I could sense the hopelessness in his voice.
Two days later, I was getting ready to leave for college when my phone rang. The number was unfamiliar. I answered, and on the other end was one of his batchmates. "Hello, your friend... he committed suicide this morning. Can you come and help with the arrangements?" Those words hit me like a brick. I couldn’t breathe. My hands trembled as I tried to process what I had just heard. The brilliant boy who dreamed of becoming a doctor and had so much potential was gone.
Later, I somehow managed to talk to his parents, but what could I possibly say to them? Nothing could fill the void that his loss had left in their lives, or mine.
Image Source - The Print
Every year, countless students fall victim to the toxic cultures of some colleges—crushed under the weight of ragging, the relentless race for marks, and the unbearable expectations placed on them. My friend’s story is just one of many, but it’s a stark reminder that we need to change the way we look at education, success, and the pressures we place on young minds.
Efforts in Place to Support Student Mental Health
IIT Guwahati pointed out the provisions taken to tackle issues with mental health: counseling services extended beyond class hours, QR codes on hostel room doors about contact details of support services, and a Peer Mentorship Program facilitated at the Institute's Welfare Board. Besides, there are several community activities organized to give credence to a caring atmosphere.
It reiterated the institute's commitment to providing a safe and supportive environment for all students and encouraged students to come forward seeking help with issues about mental health.
Inputs by Agencies
Image Source: Multiple Agencies
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