Students at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, continued their protest for the fourth day on Sunday (August 30, 2026), demanding changes to the institute’s mental health support system, hostel rules and disciplinary policies following the death of a third-year BS-MS student on August 16.
The students have raised five demands, including improvements to mental health infrastructure, an end to what they describe as oppressive gender-based hostel restrictions, adequate space and access to campus facilities, protection from disciplinary action for peaceful protests, and revocation of the suspension of student representative and general secretary Raj Bagwe.
According to the students, the protest will continue until the institute responds to their immediate requests and agrees to have discussions on larger issues.
Mr. Bagwe had raised concerns with the institute over an alleged incident of sexual harassment on campus via email, following which disciplinary action was initiated against him. He was subsequently suspended from the institute and removed from his position as general secretary.
They are seeking an open meeting with institute director Sunil S Bhagwat, with the proceedings recorded, to present and discuss their demands.
The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) also expressed solidarity with the protesters, supporting their demands relating to student representation, mental health facilities and the right to peaceful protest. It also called for Mr. Bagwe’s suspension to be revoked, the SFI said in a statement to the media.
The SFI Central Executive Committee reiterated its support for the students, demanding that “the administration revoke the suspension of Raj Bagwe, the democratically elected General Secretary of the Institute, and ensure his right to education without interruption”. Regarding the demand of improving the mental health infrastructure, the committee said, “While there is a rising number of incidents of suicides and other severe mental health concerns that are caused by the structural negligence of the administration and the government, the students of IISER Pune demand a strong system of mental health infrastructure, including 10 permanent counsellors and five permanent psychiatrists. The gender bias practised within the institute, denying students access to the facilities and affecting their mobility, is a grave violation of constitutional values,” it said.
“Most importantly, the students must have the right to register their dissent peacefully without the challenges of being targeted and subjected to disciplinary actions,” the committee added.
According to a statement by IISER, a girl student was found fallen and seriously injured outside a hostel building on campus on August 16, 2026, around 9.45 p.m. She was immediately taken to the hospital by the institute ambulance. The institute informed the parents and the police at the same time. Unfortunately, the student could not be saved, according to IISER.
In a statement to the media, IISER Pune clarified that there is no connection between the death of a student in August and the suspension of the general secretary following an incident in May. The institute said the prescribed disciplinary measures were followed.
The institute said students were entitled to express their views through peaceful protests with prior permission and that no disciplinary action would be taken over the ongoing sit-in.
IISER had cancelled classes for the day after the incident, and “academic accommodations and flexible attendance policies are being considered to support affected students”.
The institute also has two full-time counsellors, and two additional counsellors have been brought in by campus Mental Wellbeing Centre to provide additional support, according to the statement. The institute is also in the process of hiring between one and two additional full-time counsellors.
Published – August 31, 2026 02:00 am IST
