GNLU students protest lack of medical infrastructure, administrative negligence after student suicide

Students at Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), Gandhinagar are holding protests on campus in the wake of the recent suicide of third-year student, Vansh Gaint.

The students claim that the lack of medical infrastructure, administrative negligence and suppression of student rights have played a role in the death of their fellow student.

They stated that on the night of March 17, when Vansh passed away, medical personnel and equipment such as oxygen cylinder, defibrillator, or first aid kit did not arrive on time, nor did they have adequate knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

It is claimed that there was also a delay to transport Vansh to the hospital, following which students organised a car without any GNLU administration accompanying them.

The lack of elections to elect a Student Activity Committee (SAC) and Class Representative is also being protested. The delay in the elections has left students without a formal grievance redressal mechanism in matters of student welfare.

What are the students' demands?

The students demand that by Monday, March 24, the administration release a statement acknowledging their shortcomings in handling the death of Vansh Gaint.

The protest demands that there be an independent inquiry into the administrative failure, and immediate suspension of and legal action against the warden and medical staff for neglect and non-performance of their duty.

Students have asked for competent doctors, nurses who are trained in necessary emergency procedure and medical equipment to be accessible on campus. Apart from equipment to open hostel room doors, the students have also asked for grief counsellors to be made available by the end of the day.

They have also asked for the provision of an ambulance outside both the Boys' and Girls' Hostels, accessible oxygen cylinders, defibrillators and essential emergency equipment in known locations in hostels.