A second student from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-Delhi) has been found dead in his hostel room in two months. The student, identified as Anil Kumar, was a second-year student pursuing B. Tech in Mathematics and Computing. He was found hanging from the ceiling of his hostel room on September 1, 2023.
This is the second suicide at IIT-Delhi since July 20, 2023, when a first-year student, Ayush Ashna, was found hanging in his hostel room.
The police have not yet revealed the cause of death in either case. However, they are investigating whether the suicides are linked to the recent spate of suicides at IITs across India.
In the past few months, there have been several suicides at IITs across India. In May 2023, a student from IIT Bombay committed suicide by jumping from the hostel building. In June 2023, a student from IIT Madras committed suicide by hanging himself.
The suicides at IITs have raised concerns about the mental health of students at these institutions. Many students at IITs are under a lot of stress due to the rigorous academic workload and the competitive environment. They are also often isolated from their families and friends.
The IITs have taken some steps to address the issue of mental health. They have introduced counseling services and have created awareness about mental health issues. However, more needs to be done to help students who are struggling with their mental health.
Timeline of Events
- July 20, 2023: Ayush Ashna, a first-year student at IIT-Delhi, is found hanging in his hostel room.
- September 5, 2023: Anil Kumar, a second-year student at IIT-Delhi, is found hanging in his hostel room.
Actions Taken Till Now
- The police have investigated the two suicides and ruled out foul play.
- The IIT-Delhi administration has announced that it will be conducting a mental health audit of all students.
The Way Forward
The suicides at IITs are a wake-up call for the need to address the issue of mental health in these institutions. More needs to be done to help students who are struggling with their mental health. This includes providing counseling services, creating awareness about mental health issues, and making sure that students have access to support groups and hotlines.