IIT-Hyderabad faces heat after twin suicides, holds town hall

HYDERABAD: Two days after a 23-year-old IIT-Hyderabad student, Megh Kapoor, died by suicide, the institute organised a town hall with students late Friday and sought 15 days to answer queries.
This followed a protest by students, who skipped classes to highlight their concerns.
On Saturday, students returned to the classroom, but are mulling an agitation if their concerns remain unresolved within the deadline. "Although students are upset with the response of IIT authorities, they decided to resume classes and focus on exams for the next two weeks. For every question raised with the administration, we receive a stereotyped reply that the matter would be looked into," said a student on condition of anonymity.
Students shot several questions to the IIT brass on the twin suicides within 10 days. These included pointed queries on why Megh Kapoor was denied hostel stay, while two others were accommodated to the institute's apathy towards guidance and counselling. "When asked why two students were allowed to occupy hostels after their four-year stint and not Megh Kapoor, officials said they were not aware and will look into the matter. It's also clear from MTech student Rahul's sticky notes that he had left behind a suicide letter. But, neither students nor parents know anything about it. We questioned authorities on this issue too," said another student.
Students also told authorities they were not getting support on writing their thesis. "We raised this issue with authorities, but it was brushed under the carpet. There are only a handful of guides, who are high handed with students. Also, vacant hostel rooms for married students have been allocated to the staff, while female doctorate students have no accommodation," said another.