Following the death of a 31-year-old student of IIT Delhi, institute director Rangan Banerjee has adopted a tough stance amid the ongoing student protests on the campus. He has warned of disciplinary action against those who disrupt the peaceful environment of the campus by allegedly raising threatening slogans. The Director said that any kind of hindrance in the peaceful and normal functioning of the institute will not be tolerated. He clarified that strict action will be taken against those who try to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere of the campus under the disciplinary process of the institute.
The statement came out amid the students' demonstration
After the death of the student, protests are being held by the students in the institute. The institute has expressed concern over some alleged sloganeering during the demonstration. The Director appealed to the students to put forward their concerns and demands in a peaceful manner and not to affect the normal academic and administrative functioning of the institute. He said that it is important to listen to the concerns of the students, but along with this it is also the responsibility of the institute to maintain discipline and peaceful environment in the campus.
Banerjee said that the protesting students demonstrated right in front of the faculty housing between 10:30 pm and 12:30 am. He said that during this period the institute was seriously concerned about the situation. Emphasizing on maintaining a peaceful environment on the campus, the Director said in the email that there is a right to protest and express one's views, but the residential areas and normal functioning of the institute should not be affected during the demonstration.
Protestors accused of affecting security and peace
IIT Delhi director Rangan Banerjee alleged that during the protest, some students used 'derogatory, derogatory and threatening language' in their slogans. According to him, such sloganeering raised the possibility of affecting the safety, privacy and peaceful environment of the faculty members and their families. Banerjee said the families living in the faculty residential area also include small children and the elderly. In such a situation, the institute has expressed concern about the late night demonstration and alleged objectionable sloganeering.
Warning of disciplinary action if rules are broken
The director made it clear in the email sent to the students that activities that hinder the peaceful functioning of the institute will not be accepted. He said action would be taken as per the institute's disciplinary procedure against those causing disruption in residential areas, classrooms, academic activities and other normal functioning of the campus.
Students demanding investigation and compensation
Protests by students continued for the sixth consecutive day after the death of an IIT Delhi student. The protesting students are demanding an independent investigation into the case, action against institute officials and compensation for the victim's family. After the message of Director Rangan Banerjee, the protesting students reiterated their demands in a statement issued to the press. The students said their main demands are investigation, compensation and resignation. He says that until concrete action is not taken on these demands, his protest will continue.
Allegation of policemen coming to campus in plain clothes
Responding to the director's warning, students alleged that during a meeting on August 26, plainclothes Delhi Police personnel entered the campus and recorded the protesting students. The students claim that this was contrary to the alleged assurance that the administration or Delhi Police would not take any action against the protesting students. However, there has been no mention of any separate response from the police or the institute to these allegations made by the students.
Rejected the allegation of 'instigation by outsiders'
The protesting students also rejected allegations that their movement was being influenced by any outside person or organization. The students said they completely reject such claims. He said in his statement that the protesting students have no political affiliation, no hidden motive and no single leader. Describing the movement as 'natural and collective', the students said that it is a protest against their common demands.
What is the matter?
It is noteworthy that on August 22, 31-year-old MSc Physics student Hrishikesh Kumar died in the IIT Delhi campus. According to police, the student died after falling from a building on the campus. The circumstances of the case are being investigated. Protests by students continue in IIT Delhi after the death of the student. The students are demanding an independent investigation into the matter, action against institute officials and compensation for the family. IIT Delhi on Thursday reconstituted the external inquiry committee formed to probe the circumstances of the student's death. The reconstituted committee will be headed by retired Delhi High Court judge Justice Mukta Gupta.
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