Kanimozhi slams IIT Madras in Parliament for 'protecting' professors named in Fathima's suicide case

The politician pointed out that there had been 72 registered cases of caste discrimination in IITs and lambasted the TN Police as well as the government for not taking any quick action

DMK leader, Kanimozhi Karunanidhi

Member of Parliament and DMK leader Kanimozhi Karunanidhi raised the issue of IIT student Fathima Latheef's suicide during the parliamentary session today. Kanimozhi condemned the suicide and the institute's reaction to the entire incident. "What is even the point of these institutions if students are killing themselves here," she questioned.

The politician pointed out that there had been 72 registered cases of caste discrimination in institutes of higher education across the country, "What are we teaching these children? What is the point of these institutions?" She also questioned the institute's enthusiasm to protect those being accused of abetting the suicide, "Fathima was sent to the institute with so much promise and her parents are saying that her room was completely cleaned out. Even the rope she had used to hang herself was removed. Who is the institute trying to protect?" she questioned.

Two students from campus have launched a hunger strike

Pointing out to the fact that the victim had also mentioned the name of the professor, Kanimozhi questioned why no action had been taken so far against them. "Her cell phone screensaver named the professors but not a single FIR or arrest has been made. Why was the professor whose name was mentioned not even called for an interrogation?" she asked.

#IITMadras போன்ற உயர் கல்வி நிறுவனங்களில் நிகழ்ந்த 52 தற்கொலைகள் பற்றியும்,அக்கல்வி நிறுவனங்களில் சாதி,மத பாகுபாடுகளுக்கு வழிவகுக்கும் நடவடிக்கைகளை அனுமதிக்கக்கூடாது என்பதைக் குறித்தும்,தற்கொலை செய்து கொண்ட பாத்திமாவுக்கு நீதி வேண்டியும் இன்றைய பாராளுமன்ற கூட்டத்தொடரில் பேசினேன் pic.twitter.com/JD05djdbTU
— Kanimozhi (கனிமொழி) (@KanimozhiDMK) November 18, 2019

She also slapped the university for complaining about their image being tarnished during this entire incident, "Students have been protesting for so many days and all IIT is saying is that their name has been tarnished. If students are going to kill themselves, then such institutions cannot continue to function this way," she stated. She reiterated that institutions of higher education cannot become places of caste and religious discrimination.

The IIT student's suicide has shaken the entire country, the Kerala Minister of External Affairs has also written to the HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank demanding an immediate probe into the matter. The Central Crime Branch is expected to interrogate the professors named in the case so far. Two students are currently on a hunger strike on campus to demand administration to take immediate steps to curb suicides on campus.