IIT Delhi director warns students of disciplinary action over protests

IIT Delhi director Rangan Banerjee has warned of disciplinary action against students involved in protests that he said escalated on Thursday night, with demonstrators gathering outside faculty housing and using what he described as unsavoury and threatening language. The protests follow the death of 31-year-old MSc student Rishikesh Kumar, who allegedly died by suicide on August 26. Students have been demanding an independent inquiry, the resignation of four institute officials, and Rs 1 crore compensation for Kumar's family.

In an email to students on Friday, Banerjee said the institute would take action against those disrupting campus functioning. He listed measures already taken: an external inquiry committee has started work, support for Kumar's family from the benevolent fund has been approved, a separate fund for voluntary contributions has been created, and an external ombudsperson will be appointed next week. Banerjee acknowledged that current support measures are not enough and called for different approaches to rebuild trust.

Students disputed the director's description of the slogans, saying they chanted for professors to come out in solidarity. One student said the disciplinary threat is aimed at killing the movement and that students may not turn up in large numbers now. Another student questioned the effectiveness of institute committees, saying there is a breakdown of trust between students and the administration.