IIT Delhi Director threatens disciplinary action against student protestors

New Delhi: IIT Delhi Director Rangan Banerjee has warned of disciplinary action against students accused of disrupting campus functioning, as protests over the alleged suicide of a 31-year-old MSc student entered their sixth day.

The warning came after demonstrators gathered outside faculty residences late Thursday night, with the director alleging that some protesters raised slogans containing “unsavoury, humiliating and threatening” language.

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The advisory comes amid continuing protests over the alleged suicide of a 31-year-old MSc student, which entered the sixth day. In a communication to the institute community, Banerjee referred to an incident late on Thursday when protesters assembled near faculty housing for nearly two hours. He alleged that some participants used language that was intimidating and derogatory, describing the episode as a departure from peaceful forms of dissent.

“Such behaviour compromises the safety, privacy, and peace of faculty members and their families, including young children and elderly dependents,” Banerjee said.

“The Institute will take disciplinary actions against individuals disrupting the peaceful functioning of the campus including residential areas, classes, academic and other activities,” he added.

The demonstrations were sparked by the death of a second-year MSc student, whose family and fellow students have raised allegations of institutional negligence and caste-based discrimination. Student groups have been demanding an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death, action against those found responsible, and reforms to address concerns raised by students from marginalised communities.

While reiterating that the institute supports the right of students to voice their concerns, the director stressed that protests must remain within the framework of campus rules and should not interfere with the functioning of the institute or target members of the faculty and staff.

Earlier this week, a panel was formed to probe the death of the student. But the chairperson of the panel, former Uttarakhand DGP and IIT-D alumnus Alok Kumar recused himself citing prior commitments. A new chairperson is yet to be named.