3rd campus death this year: IIT-Guwahati academic dean quits after massive protests

Courtesy: @IITGuwahati

Following a massive protest triggered by the death of a 21-year-old B Tech student, Professor Kanduru V Krishna has resigned from his position as the academic dean of IIT-Guwahati. This is the third death in IIT-Guwahati this year.

IIT-Guwahati students have temporarily halted their protests that began after Bimlesh kumar's body was discovered in his hostel room on Monday.

The institute's director, Devendra Jalihal, assured the students that their demands, including the resignations of additional faculty members, such as the vice-chairperson of the hostel affairs board and the associate deans of student and academic affairs, would be addressed.

However, IIT-Guwahati authorities have yet to decide whether to accept the resignation of the dean of academic affairs, KV Krishna. The institute has also restricted media access to the campus.

Kumar's father, Ras Bihari Ram Paswan, a CISF havildar stationed in Dhanbad, was quoted by TOI: "There is clear negligence on the part of IIT-Guwahati. How could they be so ruthless towards a student who submitted a medical reason for poor attendance?"

Kumar had confided in his father that he was under stress and feared rustication.

Director Jalihal has pledged to bring more flexibility to academic policies, including a review of the mandatory 75% attendance rule, by October 15. Students with backlogs will be allowed to participate in placements and internships, provided they clear their pending courses as soon as possible.

Police have registered a case of unnatural death and have questioned several faculty members and students.