IIIT Prayag Students take to streets following suicide by a student, take out candle march

The tragic suicide of first-year B.Tech student Rahul Chaitanya Madala at the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Allahabad has sparked widespread outrage and student protests. Rahul, a 20-year-old native of Nizamabad, Telangana, who was hearing and speech impaired, ended his life by jumping from the fifth floor of the boys’ hostel in the Jhalwa area on the night of March 30, which was also his birthday.

Before taking the extreme step, Rahul had sent a heartfelt message to his mother, expressing his struggles with academic pressure and asking her to take care of the family. Shortly after, he reportedly climbed to the top floor of the hostel and jumped. The incident occurred just after midnight, sending shockwaves throughout the campus. Though the college administration immediately rushed him to a hospital, doctors declared him brought dead.

Preliminary reports indicate that Rahul was under significant distress after failing his first-semester B.Tech exams, a fact he also mentioned in his final message to his mother. His admission to the institute had been secured with an impressive rank of 52, making his untimely demise even more tragic.

The incident has led to widespread protests among IIIT Allahabad students, who held a candle march in Rahul’s memory and demonstrated against the college administration. Students have accused the institution of failing to address mental health issues and demanded regular counseling sessions and stress-management workshops to help students cope with academic challenges.

Additionally, students voiced concerns over the inadequate medical facilities on campus, further intensifying their frustration. Their anger was exacerbated by the fact that another student had recently lost their life under different circumstances. The protests escalated outside the director’s residence, where demonstrators demanded his resignation, citing administrative negligence.

Amid growing pressure, the IIIT Allahabad administration has announced a high-level investigation into the matter. Acting Director, Professor GC Nandi, confirmed that a three-member committee has been formed to thoroughly probe the incident, with a report expected within a week.

Furthermore, the institute has proposed establishing a fact-finding subcommittee comprising 50 percent student representation. This body will address issues related to faculty misconduct, student grievances, and mental health support. Additionally, the committee will suggest measures to create a more nurturing and supportive environment, particularly for students from outstation backgrounds who may struggle with the transition.

Meanwhile, the police have taken possession of Rahul’s body and sent it for post-mortem examination, with further investigation into the circumstances of his death currently underway.

Rahul’s passing has ignited crucial conversations about the academic pressures faced by students and the need for institutions to prioritize mental health support. The outcome of the ongoing inquiry and the reforms proposed by the administration will be closely watched in the days to come.