Father’s Heartbreaking Question: “Why So Much Stress?” After IIT Student’s Tragic Suicide

I’m deeply saddened to hear about the tragic incident at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. K Kiran Chandra, a fourth-year electrical engineering student, was found deceased in his hostel room, and his father, K Chander, expressed concerns about the academic pressure faced by students at IIT. Chandra’s father emphasized the need to address the stress levels experienced by students at the institute.

Chandra resided in the Lal Bahadur Shastri (LBS) Hall of Residence and was discovered on Tuesday night, with signs suggesting suicide. It was reported that Chandra had been with his roommates until 7:30 pm, after which they left for academic activities. His room was found locked from inside at around 8:30 pm, and despite efforts by doctors, he was declared dead around 11:30 pm. A police investigation has been initiated into the case.

It’s important to note that this unfortunate incident at IIT Kharagpur is not the first. A year ago, the decomposed body of a third-year student, Faizan Ahmed, was discovered in his hostel room, prompting concerns and allegations. While IIT Kharagpur initially reported it as a suicide, the Calcutta High Court ordered a second post-mortem after the family claimed he was murdered on campus and accused the institute of trying to conceal the matter.

Such incidents raise serious questions about the well-being and mental health of students in high-pressure academic environments and emphasize the need for adequate support systems and mental health resources within these institutions.