IISER students’ protest continues in Pune

For the fourth consecutive day, students at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Pune continued their protest on Sunday, August 30, 2026, demanding reforms to the institute's mental health support system, hostel rules, and disciplinary policies. The students, who lost a third-year BS-MS student on August 16, 2026, have presented five demands, including enhancements to mental health infrastructure, abolition of gender-based hostel restrictions, adequate access to campus facilities, protection from disciplinary action during peaceful protests, and the removal of suspended student representative Raj Bagwe.

Bagwe had reported a sexual harassment incident to the institute via email, leading to disciplinary action and his suspension from the institute. Bagwe is currently seeking an open meeting with institute director Sunil S Bhagwat, with proceedings recorded, to discuss their demands. The Students' Federation of India (SFI) has shown solidarity with the protesters, supporting their demands for student representation, mental health facilities, and the right to peaceful protest.

The SFI Central Executive Committee has called for Bagwe's suspension to be revoked, ensuring his right to education uninterrupted.

IISER has acknowledged a girl student was found seriously injured outside a hostel building on campus around 9:45 p.m. on August 16, 2026, and was immediately taken to the hospital. Although efforts were made to save her, she unfortunately could not be saved. The institute clarified that no connection exists between the student's death and Bagwe's suspension, asserting that the prescribed disciplinary measures were followed.

The institute has offered flexible attendance policies and is considering academic accommodations to support affected students. IISER currently has two full-time counsellors, with two additional counsellors being hired to provide extra support, and mental wellbeing center has also added two counsellors.