GUWAHATI: In response to a week-long protest that gripped the campus following a tragic student suicide, officials at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Silchar, have announced the appointment of Professor Brinda Bhowmik as the new Dean of Academics, replacing BK Roy. The decision was disclosed on Sunday.
Professor Bhowmik, a distinguished faculty member in the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, assumes her role as the Dean of Academics, effective September 25, as per official notification.
Her tenure is provisionally set for two years, commencing from the date of her appointment, or until further directives are issued.
The unfortunate turn of events leading to these changes began with the discovery of a third-year student from Arunachal Pradesh, who was found deceased in his hostel room on September 15.
Campus-wide protests ensued, as students alleged that the victim had been subjected to humiliation by the former Dean, BK Roy, over six academic backlogs he had accumulated during his first-semester examinations in 2021.
Due to pandemic-induced lockdowns and inadequate internet connectivity, the student was unable to attend online classes, resulting in a backlog.
Desperate for a solution, the student had implored the authorities to arrange a special examination to clear his backlog.
Allegedly, BK Roy's insulting response to this plea deeply affected the student, prompting him to lock himself in his room and eventually leading to his tragic suicide by hanging.
Among the demands voiced by the protesting students was the resignation of BK Roy, whom they held responsible for the student's untimely death. They also called for the assurance that no disciplinary actions would be taken against them for their protest activities.
In a show of commitment to their cause, the students embarked on a hunger strike, only suspending their protest on Friday following assurances from the college administration.
