A tragic incident at IIIT Allahabad has ignited protests following the death of Rahul Chaitanya Madala, a 20-year-old specially-abled first-year B.Tech student from Telangana. On the night of March 30, 2025, also his birthday Rahul died by suicide after reportedly struggling with academic pressure. This heartbreaking event has sent shockwaves through the campus, especially in light of another recent student death due to cardiac arrest.
Before making the extreme decision, Rahul messaged his mother about his struggle with academic pressure and asked her to take care of the family.
Later, he allegedly jumped after climbing the stairway to the fifth floor of the hostel. The incident, which occurred after midnight, stunned the whole university. He was rushed to a hospital by the college administration, where doctors pronounced him dead.
Initial reports suggest that Rahul was grappling with distress after he failed his first-semester B. Tech exams. He had mentioned this in his message to his mother, where he attributed his actions to the overwhelming academic pressure. Rahul had secured admission to the institute with a high rank of 52.
Rahul's untimely death has outraged students in large numbers at IIIT Allahabad. In his memory, students took out a candle march and protested against the college administration, blaming it for ignoring mental health problems. Protesters asked for the regular conduct of counseling sessions and workshops to enable students to cope with academic stress.
In addition, students complained about the insufficient medical facilities available on campus. Their anger escalated after hearing the news that another student had died recently under other conditions. Students protested outside the director's house, demanding his resignation.
Pankaj Mishra, public relations officer of IIIT, told PTI that Rahul was admitted to the institute in the deaf-and-mute category. Rahul had not come to class for the last three months and was reportedly suffering from depression due to academic pressure. Mishra asserted that a three-member inquiry committee was set up to inquire into both the deaths of these students and would provide a report to the director in a week. Further investigation is ongoing.
Mishra also mentioned that another first-year B.Tech student, Katravath Akhil (20), passed away on Saturday evening due to cardiac arrest. Akhil, also from Telangana, had been suffering from several health issues.
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