Concerns Over Academic Stress, Atmosphere as Another Student Dies by Suicide at BITS Pilani
New Delhi: Two students have died by suicide at the Goa campus of the Birla Institute of Technology at Pilani in the past three months. On Wednesday, March 5, a 20-year-old student from Goa, Atharva Desai, was found dead in his hostel room.
The Goa BITS Pilani public relations officer Arjun C. Halarnkar told The Wire Hindi that the incident was reported to the Verna Police Station and the institute has set up an investigation committee. He said that the incident was brought to authorities' attention when fellow students reported that the student was not responding and that his door was shut.
"The institute is currently awaiting police investigation to find out the circumstances surrounding the student's death," he said.
Chief warden Virendra told The Wire Hindi that Atharva's father is an officer at the Indian Army.
Atharva was from the 2022 batch, and was pursuing mathematics along with electronics and communication engineering under the dual-degree programme.
Following the incident, BITS Pilani director Suman Kundu reached out to students and faculty via email, stating, "We extend our support to the parents and friends of Atharva Desai during this time of irreparable loss and grief."
In this letter, Kundu also provided the contact numbers for the institute's counsellor, noting they would be available for students to reach out to during challenging times.
Parents, however, have expressed concern and asked if the counsellor would be available.
Academics and the question of stress
When The Wire Hindi inquired whether the academic pressure was affecting students' mental health, Halarnkar responded, "At BITS Pilani, we implement a relative grading system where no student fails. There is no minimum CGPA requirement for course registration in the subsequent semester. Students enjoy the autonomy to select their courses and set their own study pace, allowing them to graduate at their convenience. The institute is also contemplating modifications to the curriculum to create a more relaxed study environment for students."
The PRO added that the institute is planning to implement various measures aimed at enhancing a mental health support system. These measures include the expansion of the mental health centre, the recruitment of experienced psychiatrists and therapists, and the establishment of a student club focused on mental health initiatives.
Earlier, in December 2024, a 20-year-old student from Ghaziabad was found dead in the hostel at BITS Pilani' Goa campus. He was enrolled in a dual-degree programme for a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science and a Master of Science in Physics.
Media reports indicate that the student was to sit for an exam on December 10 did not. When students went to check on him, they discovered that his hostel room was locked from the inside.
The BITS Pilani campus in Goa is recognised as one of India's most prestigious institutions for engineering and science. Founded in 2004, it ranks among the leading private engineering colleges in the country.
Unlike many other universities, it does not admit students through the JEE and instead has its own entrance exam, BITSAT.
Voices of concern
A student's mother expressed grave concerns. She stated, "In a mere three months, two students have taken their own lives. This is considered one of the most esteemed colleges globally, so why is the administration not addressing this issue with the seriousness it deserves? S ending an email is not enough. When we entrust our children to a college, we anticipate that the institution will ensure their well-being. However, with drugs and alcohol readily accessible on campus, what kind of care is being provided?"
“The college stated in the email that the counselling and mental health team is accessible, but how many students are actually able to utilise their services?” she asked.
Many students have also shared their reactions on social media platforms.
A student residing in Atharva's hostel posted on Reddit, "I had my midsem today so I was up at night until this morning at 8 am after I went to mess. I could remember sharing a smoke at night with my friend approx at 5 am when I could hear some sounds repeatedly of the door banging. Since its a hostel we neglected these sounds thinking that their might be multiple people in the room. I think around 8:30 or 9am is when i stepped out for a walk and saw multiple people trying to get into the room, I asked a few people around when I was shocked to see what happened..."
A fellow student remarked that his grandparents visited him two days ago on his birthday and that he had been under stress over his studies.
In March 2024, a second-year PhD student at the BITS Jhunjhunu campus took her own life at her hostel room. In January 2018, T Varun, a 19-year-old engineering student from the Hyderabad campus, also died by suicide at his residence.
In February 2018, Raghav Shantaram, a 21-year-old student at the Hyderabad campus, died by suicide in his hostel room. He was pursuing a degree in electrical and electronic engineering.
In September 2017, Chamla Narasimha Reddy, a 21-year-old student from the Goa campus, took his own life in his hostel. Reddy was in his fourth year of studying Computer Science and hailed from Sangareddy village, which is approximately 120 kilometres from Hyderabad.
In May 2012, Thimmappa Manjushetti, a 30-year-old PhD student at BITS Pilani Hyderabad also died by suicide.
Translated from the Hindi original by Naushin Rehman.
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