New Delhi: IIT Delhi Director Rangan Banerjee has warned protesting students of disciplinary action, saying the institute will act against individuals disrupting the peaceful functioning of the campus, including residential areas, classes and academic activities.

In an email to students, Banerjee said the situation had “escalated significantly” on the night of August 27, when a group of protesters extended their agitation into residential areas of the campus and staged demonstrations in front of faculty housing between 10:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m.

The email came after scores of students marched across the IIT Delhi campus as part of protests over the death of 31-year-old student Rishikesh Kumar. The students have been demanding an investigation into his death, compensation for his family and resignation of those they hold responsible.

IIT Delhi Director raises concerns over protests 

Banerjee alleged that protesters used “unsavoury, humiliating and threatening language” in their slogans, saying such behaviour compromised the safety, privacy and peace of faculty members and their families, including children and elderly dependents.

“The Institute will take disciplinary actions against individuals disrupting the peaceful functioning of the campus, including residential areas, classes, academic and other activities,” Banerjee said in the email.

Students reiterate three key demands

Reacting to the Director’s communication, protesting students reiterated that their core demands remain “Investigation, Compensation and Resignation.”

The students also alleged that Delhi Police personnel in civilian clothes entered the campus and recorded students during a meeting on August 26. They claimed this violated assurances given by the Director that neither the institute administration nor Delhi Police would take action against protesting students.

The students rejected allegations that the agitation was being instigated by outsiders or external forces. They said the movement has “no political affiliation, no hidden motive and no singular leadership”, describing it as an “organic and collective” protest.

Protests continue over student’s death

The agitation has continued since the death of 31-year-old MSc Physics student Rishikesh Kumar, who died by suicide at the institute on August 22.

Students have been demanding an independent investigation into his death, compensation for his family and the resignation of those responsible. The protests have continued on the IIT Delhi campus for several days.