Protests broke out at Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University on Monday after the tragic suicide of a 25-year-old student, Gautam Kumar, who had been recently expelled by the university administration. Gautam, a first-year MBA student, allegedly ended his life by jumping from the seventh floor of his hostel building on Sunday. He was a native of Vaishali, Bihar, and was studying at the university’s main campus in Dwarka Sector-16, Southwest Delhi.
Gautam and five other students had been expelled for allegedly consuming alcohol and narcotic substances in their hostel room. The expulsion, issued on September 14, banned the students from entering hostel premises and required them to vacate their rooms by 2 PM on September 15.
The student’s death sparked outrage on campus, with hundreds of students gathering outside the Vice-Chancellor’s office to demand justice. Protesters held signs reading “Justice for Gautam” and “Don’t Let the Suicide Note Disappear,” and called for accountability from the university administration. Many accused Hostel Warden Rakesh Kumar of expelling the students without a thorough investigation, demanding his resignation.
In response, the university administration has “relieved” Rakesh Kumar of his duties, according to IP University Registrar Kamal Pathak. Police forces were deployed outside the Vice-Chancellor’s office, and university officials attempted to de-escalate the situation.
Students claim that Gautam had been distressed after being expelled following a birthday party celebration in the hostel, which had led to the alleged incident.
Suicide Prevention Helplines:
If you or someone you know is in need of help, please reach out to any of the following helplines:
- Aasra (Mumbai): 022-27546669
- Sneha (Chennai): 044-24640050
- Sumaitri (Delhi): 011-23389090
- Cooj (Goa): 0832-2252525
- Jeevan (Jamshedpur): 065-76453841
- Pratheeksha (Kochi): 048-42448830
- Maithri (Kochi): 0484-2540530
- Roshni (Hyderabad): 040-66202000
- Lifeline (Kolkata): 033-64643267
