IIIT Ranchi students protest after first-year student's death, demand director's exit

The death of first-year student Aditya Singh has triggered a protest by nearly 1,000 IIIT Ranchi students. They are seeking answers over hostel facilities, emergency medical arrangements and administrative accountability.

In Short

• Students blocked the Khelgaon-Tatisilwai road and demanded accountability from authorities
• Protesters alleged unhygienic hostel food and serious gaps in campus healthcare
• They said the hostel lift failed when Aditya needed hospitalisation

The death of Aditya Singh, a first-year student of the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Ranchi, has brought nearly 1,000 students to the streets. Students pursuing BTech, MTech and PhD courses have been protesting for the past two days, alleging that the absence of basic facilities at the institute contributed to the tragedy.

The students gathered on the road at Khelgaon, which connects to Tatisilwai, and demanded accountability from the institute authorities.

The protesters alleged that the food served in the hostel was of poor quality and unhygienic. They further claimed that when Aditya needed to be taken to hospital, the hostel lift was not working. Though an ambulance was available, its driver was absent. The vehicle, they alleged, lacked an oxygen mask and other necessary equipment.

These complaints have raised questions among the students about the condition of facilities meant for their safety and welfare.

The protesters have also levelled allegations of corruption against the institute’s director, Rajeev Srivastava. They have demanded his resignation, holding the administration responsible for its alleged failure to provide proper facilities. The allegations have yet to be established through an independent inquiry.

Lieutenant General A. K. Bhatt, chairman of the institute, met the agitating students and sought to persuade them to end their protest. The students, however, refused to withdraw their demands.

The police later cleared the road, but the agitation continued.

Speaking on the matter, Lt Gen A. K. Bhatt said that a proper investigation would be conducted into the circumstances surrounding the first-year student’s death. He said that those found guilty would face action.

“This is a government institute, and we shall conduct a proper inquiry into how the student died under such circumstances,” he said.

On the demand for the director’s immediate resignation, Bhatt said that the appointment of the director involved approval at the level of the President of India, and that an immediate decision on his removal could not be taken.

He assured the students that no person found responsible after a detailed investigation would be spared.

The inquiry is now expected to determine the circumstances of Aditya Singh’s death and examine the allegations concerning hostel facilities, emergency medical arrangements and the administration of the institute.

For the students, however, the demand remains plain: they want answers from the authorities and action against those found responsible. Until then, their protest continues.

(With inputs from Satyajit)

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