The Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A) has introduced a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for organising events at the institute, following the tragic death of a student. While IIM-A hosts a variety of events throughout the year, the students are heavily involved in the coordination of two major events: ‘Chaos,’ a youth festival and ‘The Red Brick Summit’ (TRBS), a prominent management conclave.
According to sources familiar with the development, one of the key topics discussed at a student forum on Saturday was the clear allocation of roles and responsibilities for these events. The forum, which included the participation of deans and senior faculty members, addressed the growing concerns of the student body.
The forum followed the suicide of 23-year-old second-year PGP student, Akshith Bhukya, on 26 September. It is alleged that Bhukya faced harassment by institute authorities regarding arrangements for TRBS, which some believe contributed to his decision to take his own life. In response to this, students urged that roles and responsibilities for such events be clearly defined to prevent future incidents. The institute authorities have agreed to establish an SOP to address these concerns.
In recent days, students and alumni have voiced their dissatisfaction with the institution’s handling of the situation, causing significant damage to the institute’s reputation. Sources have suggested that changes may be forthcoming in response to these grievances.
On Monday, police investigators visited the campus and Bhukya’s room, where the tragic incident occurred. Questions have been raised about the delay in the police investigation, as key individuals involved in the case have yet to provide statements. Bhukya’s father, Hemant Bhukya, has echoed these concerns, as the family continues to seek justice and understand the reasons behind their son’s death.
