OBC Student’s Death at IIM Bangalore Fuels Debate on Caste Discrimination and Institutional Accountability

Bengaluru- The death of Nilay Patel, an OBC student at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB), has reignited concerns about caste discrimination and inadequate support systems in premier educational institutions.

Nilay, a postgraduate student, was found dead inside the IIM campus on Sunday morning. While the exact cause of his death is yet to be confirmed, reliable sources suggest that it might be another case of student suicide. As per a report in The Hindu, the student is suspected to have died after falling from the third floor of his hostel accommodation on campus.

The Mooknayak reached out to Bangalore DCP Sarah Fathima for a statement, but her response is awaited. According to sources, the autopsy could not be conducted on Sunday as the student's parents had not arrived. Meanwhile, activists have urged the media to play a proactive role in shedding light on these issues and holding institutions accountable.

In 2023, a student died at IIM Bangalore due to cardiac arrest.

In September 2024, Akshit Hemant Bhukya (24), who was studying in the second year of the MBA programme at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA), was found hanging from the metal grille of the ventilator in his hostel room.

Activists argue that such cases highlight systemic issues, including the lack of mental health support and specially mechanisms to address discrimination faced by students from marginalized backgrounds.

Institutional Response

In a message to students, IIM Bangalore’s Director expressed condolences:

"It is with profound grief that we want to inform you that our beloved batch mate Nilay Patel (2311486) is no more with us. While the investigation is going on to find the exact reason behind this unfortunate incidence, we request you all to not believe in any rumours and co-operate with authorities to the fullest."

However, activists and organizations representing marginalized communities have called for clarity. Kiran Kumar Gowd, National President of the All India OBC Students' Association (AIOBCSA), demanded transparency and accountability from the institution, posting on social media:

"We demand IIMB official to provide clarity on this critical issue. The institution lacks adequate mechanisms to address the concerns of marginalized communities, a matter we have repeatedly highlighted. We call upon education minister of India to take immediate action to prevent student suicides and to strengthen institutional support systems for students from marginalized backgrounds" Gowd said in a statement.

The Larger Issue: Student Suicides in Higher Education

Nilay Patel’s death comes at a time when the Supreme Court of India is hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by mothers of Rohith Vemula and Payal Tadvi, two students from the marginalised communities who committed suicides reportedly after facing caste based harassments. The PIL calls for mechanisms to prevent caste-based discrimination in educational institutions. Rohit Vemula, a PhD scholar at Hyderabad Central University, died by suicide in January 2016, allegedly due to caste discrimination.

Similarly, Payal Tadvi, an Adivasi student at TN Topiwala National Medical College in Mumbai, died by suicide in May 2019, reportedly after facing harassment from upper-caste peers. During the recent hearing held on January 3, the Court expressed grave concern over the rising number of such cases.

The Court showed particular sensitivity to the issue, especially after learning about the claim that 115 suicides occurred in IITs alone between 2004-2024. Justice  Surya Kant remarked that the Court would begin hearing the matter periodically to ensure the 2012 Regulations are effectively implemented.

The Court has decided to monitor the implementation of these regulations periodically. Senior advocate Indira Jaising, representing the petitioners, urged the Court to seek caste-wise data on student suicides, highlighting the disproportionate burden faced by marginalized communities. The Court, however, decided to approach the matter incrementally to avoid overwhelming the judicial process.