No plan to install ‘special fans’ to prevent suicides: IIT-M

Fathima Lathief, afirst-year student of MA Development Studies (Integrated), committed suicide in her room at‘Sarayu’ hostel inside the IIT-M campus on November 9, triggering a row. There were widespread protests by students, even as the management assured that it would fully co-operate with the police.

The latest controversy is over an “unofficial” e-mail from the administration that reportedly recommended ‘fan bush protection’ in hostel rooms to prevent suicides.

Dismissing it, a senior staff from IIT Madras said on condition of anonymity that there were no plans to install it as being rumoured. The mail was only a suggestion from few staff in the institution as such a fan was available in the campus.

“We are using thatfan, which was developedby a student, who suggested that his invention would prevent suicide,” the source added.

“The institution will not act in haste. This is a very sensitive issue,” the person said, adding that management has decided to strengthen the students health by organising various activities in the campus.

Meanwhile, a member of Ambedkar-Periyar Circle in the IIT Madras campus said it would stage protests if the administration took sucha step.