IIT Delhi on Monday cancelled classes after students staged a protest demanding an independent probe into alleged administrative lapses linked to the death of 26-year-old MSc Physics student Rishikesh. The students also demanded the resignation of senior officials and Rs 1 crore compensation for the student's family.
The students demanded the resignation of the Dean and Associate Deans (ADSW and ADHM) in the Student Affairs Office, as well as the Head of the Department of Physics.
They also called for the institute to examine key factors that may have caused distress to the student, including the rejection of academic projects, accommodation-related problems, and inadequate support systems.
The Deputy Registrar, in a communication to students and faculty members, wrote, "Dear Students and Faculty Members, the undersigned is directed to inform that due to unavoidable circumstances, all classes scheduled for today, 24 August 2026, stand cancelled."
In a letter to the IIT Delhi administration, students condemned the Student Affairs Office's treatment of Rishikesh, stating, "Moral profiling of a student deserves no place in a scientific and public institution. It hinders the access of students to resources and opportunities like housing and holds detrimental impact on their dignity as a bonafide student of the campus, as seen in this case."
The students had demanded that the institute call off all classes in the Lecture Hall Complex and across the campus on Monday, August 24, 2026, stating that classes should not continue as though the death of a student had not occurred.
"Students should not be made to go back to LHC thinking it is business as usual. The system needs to take a PAUSE," the letter read.
Demanding justice for Rishikesh, the students called for an independent investigation into the alleged lapses committed by the administration that, they said, made Rishikesh feel helpless and isolated and left him with no option other than taking his own life. They demanded that administrators and staff found culpable in the process be held accountable.
The students also demanded that the competent authority address how issues such as non-allocation of housing facilities, denial of academic projects, and an unsupportive hospital administration, within a larger competitive academic environment, can cause or exacerbate mental distress among students.
The students further demanded clear disclosure of the institute's mental health protocol for students seeking counselling.
"Keeping in mind, the proactive role of the Student Affairs Office in removing students from the campus with a history of mental issues, we demand a clear disclosure of the Institute's mental health protocol regarding students seeking counselling, how the cases of students in mental distress are addressed administratively, what is the role of the Student Counseling Services, the Associate Dean Student Welfare, Dean, Student Affairs and the Director within this protocol," the letter stated.
The students said that several IIT Delhi students had died by suicide on campus in the last 30 months, describing the pattern as indicative of a "systematic problem". They demanded clear communication from the competent authority on all steps taken by the administration to address students' mental health concerns on campus, including compliance with the Expert Committee Report on Students' Mental Well-being on Campus.
Compensation
The students demanded that Rishikesh's family be compensated adequately and compassionately, with a compensation of Rs 1 crore.
They also demanded that no action be taken against any student protesting over the student's death and that the administration communicate this stance on the demands in an official statement.
