AISU writes letter to PM over surge in suicides at PES

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The Bengaluru unit of the All Indian Student's Union (AISU) penned a letter on February 1 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, seeking their urgent intervention in response to the distressing surge in student suicides at PES University in the city.

The concerns surrounding alleged mental and institutional harassment faced by students at PES University came to light after the tragic incident involving Aditya Prabhu, a 19-year-old student who took his own life at the esteemed engineering institute in July 2023.

The following is a timeline of the suicides that have occurred at the university:

July 17, 2023: Aditya Prabhu took the extreme step

October 27, 2023: Surya M Achar, a third-year BTech (Bachelor of Technology) Computer Science student, ended his life by jumping from the college building

January 30, 2024: Vignesh K, a 19-yearold B B A (Bachelor of Business Administration) student, also tragically ended his life.

The student union emphasised that three professors were named in a police chargesheet related to Aditya Prabhu's case.

Despite the charges, these professors are still actively teaching, raising serious concerns about student safety, as stated in the union's official statement.

The letter addressed to the officials underscored the gravity of the situation, with three young lives lost within a few months.

The union urgently requested immediate intervention to thoroughly investigate and address the issues at PES University, ensuring justice for grieving parents who have lost their children.

The plea implored swift and decisive action against the alleged perpetrators and the implementation of measures to prevent further tragedies.

M Sai Kirshna , the National President of AISU, appealed to higher authorities for immediate intervention and a transparent investigation into the university's issues.

He stressed the importance of addressing these concerns promptly to prevent further loss of life and urged a thorough examination of the situation, holding those responsible accountable.

In a press statement, Sai Ram B, Head of the Media Division, emphasised the need for the power corridors to take notice.

He pointed out the troubling fact that professors named in a chargesheet are still allowed to enter classrooms, illustrating the university's apparent lack of concern for its students.

The statement urged authorities to take action to prevent the recurrence of such tragedies.