Protesters at IIT-Bombay seek change in panel probing student's suicide
Here's the latest protest news from across India:
Students protesting at Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay (IIT-B) held a candlelight march on Friday night from the Justice Corner at the main gate to hostel 4 to mark one week since the death by suicide of a second-year student on the campus, who stayed in hostel 4, and demanding a change in the team investigating the case.
Adding to this, Another demand was the resignation of IIT-Bombay director Shireesh Kedare. (HT Photo) The protesting students demanded that the existing investigation committee be dissolved, alleging concerns over its independence because some members had publicly supported Prof Suryanarayana Doolla before the inquiry concluded.
Meanwhile, They demanded that the committee be reconstituted as an independent external body without current IIT-Bombay employees or students. They also demanded the inclusion of at least two of the following people in the new committee: former Planning Commission member Bhalchandra Mungekar, journalist P Sainath, activist Ram Puniyani and academic Sukhadeo Thorat.
Notably, The students also demanded that Prof Doolla be suspended from all responsibilities until the criminal investigation is completed.
As per the latest buzz, Another demand was the resignation of IIT-Bombay director Shireesh Kedare.
In further updates, The students alleged that the administration failed to address student safety concerns and mishandled the case.
On top of that, The students also demanded reforms in the Students’ Welfare Committee. They sought regular audits every six months, with the reports made public, and demanded that the Dean of Students’ Welfare be a medical professional.
On disciplinary matters, the students demanded reforms in the Disciplinary Action Committee (DAC). They sought a portal where minutes, communications and reports of DAC proceedings can be uploaded on time. They also demanded that appeals receive a response within 48 hours, permanent hostel expulsion not be used as a punishment and a graded disciplinary system be introduced.
Source: Hindustan Times