‘Risk to life, exams’, but students continue protest over Delhi coaching centre tragedy

On July 27, in the wake of the death of three IAS aspirants in the basement library of Rau’s IAS coaching centre in Delhi’s Karol Bagh, the students residing in the area took to the street to protest against administrative lapses that purportedly led to the tragedy.     

Seven days on, the protest has continued with students alleging that their demands are yet to be met. Their demands include compensation for the deceased students, regularisation of coaching institutes, PGs, and libraries, price cap on fees, and permanent resolution to issues of waterlogging and electrocution, and setting up of a students grievance redressal system.     

At present, the Delhi government has only sealed institutes running classes and libraries in basements. Students told Newslaundry that ahead of the UPSC Mains examination in September, when libraries are essential for most students, the unsealed libraries have increased their fees.     

Ashutosh Chaubey, 25, who cleared the UPSC Prelims examination, said that he had earlier enrolled at a basement library which monthly charged Rs 2,000 fee. But after it was sealed, he is “compelled to sign up for libraries that have increased their fees from Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,500 monthly”. He added that some libraries are now charging Rs 6,000 monthly. 

Another student Sudhir Vyas said that the hostel and PG rooms are “too congested” to study. Meanwhile, some students were studying at the protest site, saying that the libraries had become unaffordable. 

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