The chairperson of the Haryana State Commission for Women has described the recent suicides at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Kurukshetra as both shameful and painful. In a statement issued on Wednesday, she expressed deep concern over the recurring incidents of students taking their own lives at the premier engineering institute.
Commission Chairperson Expresses Grief
Renu Bhatia, the chairperson of the Haryana Women Commission, visited the campus to assess the situation and meet with the families of the deceased students. She emphasized that the loss of young lives is a matter of grave concern and called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to these tragic events.
Urgent Need for Mental Health Support
Bhatia highlighted the urgent need for robust mental health support systems within educational institutions. She urged the NIT administration to implement measures to identify students facing psychological distress and provide them with timely counseling and intervention.
She also stressed the importance of creating a supportive environment where students feel comfortable seeking help without fear of stigma. The commission chairperson recommended the establishment of a dedicated helpline and regular mental health workshops for both students and faculty.
Call for Accountability
Bhatia called for accountability from the institute's management, stating that the repeated incidents indicate a systemic failure. She demanded a detailed report from the NIT administration on the steps taken to prevent such tragedies and urged the state government to intervene if necessary.
She also appealed to parents to maintain open communication with their children and to be vigilant about any signs of stress or depression. The commission plans to conduct awareness campaigns in collaboration with educational institutions across the state to address the growing mental health crisis among students.
Broader Implications for Student Welfare
The chairperson's remarks have sparked a wider conversation about student welfare in higher education institutions. Experts have pointed out that academic pressure, competition, and lack of emotional support are contributing factors to student suicides. They have called for a holistic approach to education that prioritizes mental well-being alongside academic excellence.
The Haryana Women Commission has assured that it will monitor the situation closely and take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and well-being of students, particularly young women, in the state's educational institutions.
