Amid protest against CEC, ex-IIT Kanpur director recalls agitation led by CJP's Ashutosh Ranka: 'He gave me a tough time
The agitation followed the death of a student who had complained of back pain after returning from the cricket field. According to Manna's account, the student was taken to the institute's health centre, where he was given a painkiller before being sent back to his hostel.
Former IIT Kanpur director Professor Indranil Manna has recounted a prolonged student protest that put the university's administration under immense pressure around 2016-17. The agitation was led by Ashutosh Ranka, an alumnus and president of the Students’ Gymkhana, following the death of a student on campus. Manna recalled that Ranka's persistent demands for three days and nights tested his leadership skills.
The incident came after a student complained of back pain after returning from the cricket field and was taken to the health centre where a painkiller was administered. However, the student's condition deteriorated and he died before receiving further medical help. Manna, then based in Delhi, learned about the protests when he heard about 2,000 students gathering on campus.
Despite the pressure from the students, Manna said he did not cave in to their demands and maintained that the administration had to make decisions based on facts. Later, a committee led by an AIIMS doctor investigated the incident and found that the student's ECG suggested a possibility of survival. Within ten days, Ranka and around ten other students apologised to Manna.
Manna stressed the importance of allowing an investigation to establish the facts before making decisions or agreeing to demands during a protest.
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