21-Year-Old Indian Institute of Science Student Diamond Kushwaha Dies by Suicide at Hostel

A tragic incident occurred on Friday at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru, as a 21-year-old student took his own life at the boys hostel on campus. The student has been identified as Diamond Kushwaha, a second-year integrated PhD student from Delhi.

In an internal communication, IISc Bengaluru expressed their deep sorrow and announced the student’s death by suicide. The university extended their condolences to Diamond’s family and friends, emphasizing their commitment to maintaining a safe and inclusive campus environment for everyone.

The incident took place at approximately 7:10 am, and the student’s body was subsequently transferred to MS Ramaiah Hospital. Currently, authorities are awaiting the postmortem report. The Sadashivanagar police stated that they are also waiting for Kushwaha’s parents to arrive in Bengaluru so that they can file a complaint in connection with the tragic event.

It is worth mentioning that the IISc had taken measures to prevent student suicides by replacing ceiling fans with wall-mounted fans in the hostels. This decision was made following four reported suicides since March 2021.

Sadly, this marks the second campus suicide in Bengaluru within three weeks. Just earlier in November, Ashwin Nambiar, a student from Azim Premji University, was found dead on their campus. The incident prompted alumni to call for the establishment of a student body, improved communication, and greater transparency to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The news of Diamond Kushwaha’s suicide has deeply saddened the IISc community, highlighting the urgent need for mental health support and preventive measures on college campuses. The loss of such a young and promising student serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing mental health issues and providing a safe and supportive environment for students across the country.