Watch: Jamia students take out march in solidarity with Darshan Solanki
Some Jamia Millia Islamia students on Wednesday took out a march in solidarity with IIT Bombay student Darshan Solanki who allegedly died by suicide at IIT Bombay, according to students’ groups.
Darshan, 18, a first-year BTech student at IIT Bombay, reportedly jumped to his death from his hostel building on campus, without leaving any suicide note, reported theprint.in
The AISA, along with other organisations including AIRSO, AISA, BASF DISS, Fraternity, MSF, NSUI, SFI and SIO and students of Jamia, held a protest in solidarity with Darshan Solanki’s family for justice and condemning the “institutional murder of Darshan”.
However, IIT Bombay said in a statement Tuesday that it “strongly refutes” claims that Darshan’s death was caused by discrimination or that it was “institutional murder”. “It is wrong to make such accusations when the police are still investigating the case. Based on initial inputs from friends, there is no indication that the student faced any such discrimination. We request that such unfounded allegations not be spread,” the statement read, reported theprint.in.
Jamia students said they express their deepest condolences to Darshan’s family and demanded a judicial enquiry be initiated into the death of Darshan.
AISA said it will initiate a national campaign against rising discrimination against Dalits, Adivasis, and other marginalised communities on campuses across India. Immediately enact Rohith Act.
The protesting students in a statement issued to the media made five demands, including comfortable environment should be created inside the institute for the students coming from Dalit, tribal and Muslim background, 2) this incident should be investigated impartially keeping in mind the casteist harassment, 3) necessary and adequate teachers should be appointed from SC / ST community, and equal opportunity cells should function regularly in university, 4) concrete steps should be taken to eliminate all kinds of domination/discrimination prevailing in higher education institutions and 5) enacting of Rohit Act.
