IITG situation: DoAA quits, 3 more to follow; students call off protest

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 11, 2024

KV Krishna, Dean of Academic Affairs of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has submitted his resignation, while three more officials will resign from their posts this week.

This was informed by IIT Guwahati Director Prof Devendra Jalihal in a meeting with the representatives of the Student Gymkhana Council at the IITG campus on Wednesday.

The officials in question are Prof. Rajkumar Thummer (Vice-Chairperson, Hostel Affairs Board Services), Prof. Bithiah G. Jaganathan (Associate Dean of Students Affairs), and Prof. Rakhi Chaturvedi (Head of the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering).

Students of the IITG withdrew their protest after the meeting with IITG Director, Prof Jalihal.

The agitation began on Monday evening following the death of a student in his room at Brahmaputra Hostel. The incident occurred due to immense academic pressure and mental harassment imposed by the administration.

The students raised concerns about the mental well-being of the student body and the role of the administration in creating a stressful academic environment. The administration has been urged to take immediate steps to address these issues and improve support for students struggling with mental health challenges.

According to the rules of IIT Guwahati, the Student Gymkhana Council serves as the official representative body for students in meetings with the administration. This council acts as a liaison between the student community and the institution’s authorities, ensuring that student concerns and issues are formally addressed at the official level.

In an official statement, IIT Guwahati authorities expressed their acknowledgement of the distress caused by the recent tragic death of a student on campus. The release stated, “It acknowledges the deep distress caused by the recent unfortunate incident of a student death on campus and understands the concerns of the student community. The well-being of everyone remains our top priority, and we are fully committed to fostering a safe and supportive environment for all.”

The IIT Guwahati authorities emphasized their commitment to addressing the concerns raised by students in the wake of the recent student death on campus. The statement acknowledged the distress the incident caused and highlighted the steps being taken to ensure student well-being. It noted that “the institute is taking the issues raised by the students seriously.” It detailed the efforts of the Director, who had a lengthy one-on-one discussion with students to understand and address their concerns.

The statement confirmed that the Dean involved had submitted his resignation, which the administration has received and is currently discussing internally. A decision regarding the resignation will be made soon.

The institute also outlined several measures to prevent future tragedies, including, enhanced wellbeing services, peer support networks, review of safety protocols, awareness initiatives and open communication channels.

The administration urged students to seek support if they are feeling overwhelmed, stressing that their well-being is the institute’s top priority.