Kolkata: The recent death of Faizan Ahmed, a Muslim student at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, has prompted serious concerns over the safety and treatment of minority students in Indian educational institutions. Ahmed, a third-year mechanical engineering student, was found dead under mysterious circumstances in his hostel room, leading to allegations of foul play and institutional cover-up.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the initial findings by IIT Kharagpur labeled the death as a suicide when Ahmed’s body was discovered on October 14, 2022. Contrary to these claims, the student’s mother contested the suicide ruling, pushing for further investigation into the circumstances surrounding her son’s death. Her persistence led to significant developments in the case.
In response to the mother’s petition, the Calcutta High Court in May 2023 mandated a second autopsy. The results of this new examination painted a starkly different picture, revealing that Ahmed had sustained gunshot wounds, multiple stab injuries, and had suffered blunt force trauma to the chest. These findings have intensified the scrutiny on IIT Kharagpur’s handling of the case and prompted accusations against the institution of trying to conceal the true nature of the events leading to Ahmed’s death.
The controversy has escalated with the involvement of five students and professors from the institution, who now face charges related to ragging. Despite these charges, all individuals implicated remain out on bail. The complexities of the case increased after a recent judicial postponement and reassignment of judges, actions perceived by some as attempts to delay and complicate the judicial process.
This incident has reignited debates concerning the safety of minority students in India’s educational settings, amid increasing national concerns over religious-based hostility. The ongoing investigation continues to be a point of contention and raises significant questions about campus safety, the responsibility of educational institutions, and the broader issue of minority protection within India’s top universities.
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