The Director of IIT Delhi, Rangan Banerjee, issued a warning about imposing disciplinary measures on students who obstructed campus operations during protests related to the death of Rishikesh Kumar, a 31-year-old postgraduate student in physics.
According to a report, students marched across the campus grounds late Thursday night. Their demands included holding those responsible for Kumar's death accountable and conducting a transparent investigation into the incident. This warning was subsequently issued.
In emails sent to students on Friday evening, Banerjee stated that the situation had escalated significantly on Thursday night. Protesters entered residential areas between 10:30 PM and 12:30 AM.
The Director also noted that the protests took place near some faculty members' homes. During these demonstrations, insulting and threatening slogans were chanted. He emphasized that such behavior negatively affects the safety, privacy, and peace of mind of faculty members and their families.
Banerjee clearly stated that disciplinary action would be taken against those who disrupt the institute's peaceful atmosphere. This applies to individuals causing disturbances in residential zones, classrooms, and academic activities.
During the march, which occurred closer to midnight, protesters moved through the campus and approached faculty members to show solidarity with them. Some students expressed concerns that disciplinary sanctions could affect their academic careers and participation in job placement events. One student noted that the director's message might weaken the current protest movement.
Parallel to the protests, IIT Delhi reorganized the external inquiry committee established to investigate Kumar's death. After the former DGP of Uttarakhand, Ashok Kumar, left his post for personal reasons, Mukta Gupta, a retired judge from the Delhi High Court, was appointed as the new chairperson. The committee includes Pratap Saran, head of the psychiatry department at AIIMS Delhi, two student representatives, and the Registrar of IIT Delhi.
In this process, Banerjee reported that the inquiry committee has begun its work, and financial assistance for Kumar's family has been approved through the institute's charitable fund. A separate fund has also been created through voluntary donations from faculty, students, and staff. The institute announced that an external ombudsman will be appointed next week, and that negotiations with student representatives are ongoing.
In a video address, Banerjee acknowledged that existing measures were insufficient to support students and stated that the institute needs to adopt various approaches to restore trust.