IIT Delhi protest continues, students want inquiry panel to look into claims made by victim’s mother to police

Five days after MSc Physics student Rishikesh Kumar's alleged suicide, IIT Delhi reinstated an external inquiry panel led by retired Delhi High Court judge Justice Mukta Gupta, following students' demands. However, the move did not stop the campus-wide protest that started spontaneously on Monday, growing into thousands of participants.

The students now want the panel's scope expanded to assess the serious allegations made by Kumar's mother to the police, including her claims of inadequate hostel provisions and alleged humiliation by the college's dean. These allegations distressed Rishikesh before his death. Students continue to attend classes and laboratories while participating in the protest, gathering funds for basic necessities.

The protest has also prompted students to share their experiences, with many citing a lack of responsiveness from the administration. IIT Delhi affirmed student well-being's importance but questioned the accessibility and responsiveness of existing systems. The protesters seek a wider inquiry committee mandate to examine insensitive conduct by administrators and staff, along with Rs 1-crore compensation for Kumar's mother and a commitment to broader changes in student-facing services.