Protests rock IIT Guwahati after fourth student found dead in suspected suicide in a year

A third-year computer science student at the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati (IITG) was found dead in his hostel room on Monday, sparking major protests on campus.After the news became known, some students gathered in front of the administration building, demanding justice for the deceased and urging the institution to provide better mental health care.

“The deceased student was suffering from physical health problems and was mentally disturbed. He was undergoing treatment and could not concentrate on his studies,” claimed one of the protesting students.

The protesters also claimed that despite providing the required medical certificates, the student’s condition was not adequately taken into account, which led to the worsening of his depression.

The deceased, a male student from Uttar Pradesh, was discovered in his room at Brahmaputra Hostel, police said. The cause of death is being investigated and the body has been sent for post-mortem.

This incident is the fourth student death at IITG this year. On August 9, a female student was allegedly found hanging in her room. The Dean of Student Welfare met the protesters and assured them that the physical and mental well-being of its students is IITG’s top priority. “IITG is deeply saddened to announce the loss of a student from our community. We extend our deepest condolences to the student’s family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time,” said a spokesperson for the institute.

Stressing that IITG is committed to supporting its students and ensuring their well-being, the spokesperson stated, “We encourage our student community to utilize our support networks. IITG reiterates its commitment to providing a supportive and safe environment for all students.”

“IITG continues to place great emphasis on making the mental health and wellbeing of our student community a top priority even during these difficult times,” the spokesperson added.