The Hindu column by N. Sukumar says student suicides cannot be explained only by academic workload and individual coping skills.
In an opinion column for The Hindu, Delhi University political science professor N. Sukumar links student suicides at elite Indian institutions, especially the IITs, to wider caste discrimination. He recalls Rohith Vemula’s note of January 16, 2016, and challenges explanations that focus only on academic pressure or students’ individual resilience.
Students from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes are often the first in their families to enter university, Sukumar writes. Family expectations, grades and peer competition can intensify pressure, particularly for students with less social or economic capital. He argues that meritocracy cannot be separated from India’s social history.
As an example, Sukumar recounts joining a fact-finding team that investigated a discrimination complaint at an IIT. He says a senior administrator did not know about the SC/ST Act. He also cites committee reports describing caste hierarchies in classrooms, hostels, campus events and other university spaces.
Sukumar calls on institutions to acknowledge discrimination, create inclusive learning environments and train faculty and administrators to work with diverse student groups. He argues that formal procedures may not be enough when students face humiliation or segregation in everyday campus life. The Hindu identifies the column as the author’s personal view.