Approximately 200 ALSD students have taken part in protests this week following the death of third-year student Sushant Rohilla. On 10 August, Mr Rohilla hung himself in his accommodation after learning that he would not be permitted to sit the school’s annual examinations, one of 19 students who were barred from taking the annual exams by the school due to an excessive number of absences. While ALSD enforces a minimum 75 per cent attendance rate for students to be eligible to sit their exams, statements from the university since Mr Rohilla’s death have reported his attendance prior to his suspension to have been in the range of 29 per cent to 43 per cent.

Abuse of power

The striking students are demanding the resignations of both the school’s director BP Singh Sehgal and professor Isheeta Rutabhasini for the role they played in the events leading up to Mr Rohilla’s death. After learning that he wouldn’t be allowed to sit his exams, Mr Rohilla reportedly made several pleas to the university to reconsider their decision, citing a ‘severe foot injury’ that had prevented him from attending class and the mental trauma the university’s decision had caused him. His appeals were not followed up or given due consideration by the university, the students claim. ‘The attitude of teachers has been downright rude and intimidating. They know they can withhold our degrees and have access to our attendance,’ said one student taking part in the protests. Mr Rohilla’s uncle shared a status on social media blaming ‘the callous and arbitrary system of Amity University’ for his nephew’s death.

Sources: Times of India; Hindustan Times; Legally India