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Student suicide: Amid protests, IIT-M says social media trolling is demoralising for those on campus

The Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, on Friday said the attacks it has faced on social media since the death of a woman student on campus last week was demoralising its students and faculty,

The Hindu reported. The statement came amid anger and protests demanding a fair investigation into the alleged suicide of Fathima Lateef – the fifth such incident in IIT-Madras over the last year.

Fathima Latheef, a student of Humanities and Development Studies from Kollam town in Kerala, was found hanging from the ceiling fan of her hostel room on November 9. While no suicide note was found, a note on her mobile phone blamed some faculty members.

IIT-Madras said it was “deeply saddened and extremely perturbed” by Latheef’s death and the events that have unfolded. “However, the social media trolling of the institute, faculty members and students and trial by the media, even before the conclusion of the police investigation, is gravely demoralising the students, faculty members and staff as well as their families, and tarnishing the reputation of one of the finest Institutes in the country,” the statement said. “Our faculty is known for its high quality, integrity and fairness.”

“As soon as the incident came to the knowledge of IIT-M authorities, the police was informed immediately and are...

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