A student from Telangana, K Kiran Chandra, died by suicide in his hostel room at IIT Kharagpur on Tuesday night. He was a fourth-year dual degree student in the Department of Electrical Engineering. He was found hanging by his hostelmates around 10 pm. The police have registered a case of unnatural death and are investigating the matter further.
The institute issued a statement expressing shock and grief over the incident. It said that Kiran “chose the path of self-harm” and that he was with his roommates till 7.30 pm before they left for academic activities. The institute also claimed that it has been taking various measures to support the mental health and well-being of the students, especially during the pandemic.
This is not the first time that IIT Kharagpur has witnessed such a tragedy. Since 2022, there have been multiple cases of students dying by suicide on campus. This raises serious questions about the academic pressure and mental stress faced by the students in these prestigious institutions.
Suicide is a preventable and emerging public health issue in India. There are many resources available for those who are feeling suicidal or know someone who is. If you or anyone you know is feeling suicidal, please reach out to a helpline or a professional for help.