Students of the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-D) on Saturday continued to protest over the death of 31-year-old student Rishikesh Kumar, stating that they were undeterred by threats of disciplinary action and would continue their peaceful demonstrations on the campus.
The latest development comes against the backdrop of IIT-D director Rangan Banerjee sending an email, warning of “ actions against individuals disrupting the peaceful functioning of the campus” over “unsavoury, humiliating and threatening language in their slogans” in demonstrations in front of faculty housing.
Students, however, said that they were only urging the faculty to support them with slogans of “Come out, professors. Come and support us”.
Also read: IIT Delhi director flags 'unsavoury, threatening' slogans amid protest over student's death
Students say slogans were appeals for faculty support
In a clarification statement issued by the students on Saturday, they said they had peacefully urged professors to support them. Meanwhile, they faced excessive police surveillance.
Chants were an invitation or an appeal extended towards the faculty fraternity on the grounds of trust in the relationship the students have with them. The slogans were strictly limited to institutional accountability, transparency, and appeals for community solidarity. Protestors did not cause any ruckus or chaos either in material or in abstract ways,” said students in a statement. “However, the protesting students were exposed to disproportionate surveillance and police presence,” they added.
{{/usCountry}}Chants were an invitation or an appeal extended towards the faculty fraternity on the grounds of trust in the relationship the students have with them. The slogans were strictly limited to institutional accountability, transparency, and appeals for community solidarity. Protestors did not cause any ruckus or chaos either in material or in abstract ways,” said students in a statement. “However, the protesting students were exposed to disproportionate surveillance and police presence,” they added.
{{/usCountry}}Also read: IIT Delhi student protest enters fifth day, impasse continues
Protesters deny entering faculty residential area
A 21-year-old BTech student said, “We took out a march from our hostels at 9pm, paused hardly for 15 minutes near faculty residence, raised the slogan and continued our march towards the main gate. None of the protesters entered the gate of the residential area. We requested them to show solidarity.”
A student pursuing a master’s degree, requesting anonymity, said, “The administration had done nothing for Rishikesh. The investigation committee and the compensation to his family was not done as an initiative by the institute, but it was the result of student protest. We feel tired, but if we stop now, no one will fight for those who died.”
Students seek independent probe, ₹1 crore compensation
The protest began two days after the 31-year-old MSc student died, reportedly by suicide, on August 22. While the institute has formed a committee to probe, students said the protest will continue until their demands are met. They are seeking the resignation of the Dean (Students’ Welfare), an independent inquiry into alleged institutional lapses, ₹1 crore compensation for Kumar’s family, and an assurance that no action will be taken against students who participated in the agitation.
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