3 min readPuneSep 2, 2026 12:11 AM IST
First published on: Sep 2, 2026 at 12:11 AM IST
On the seventh day of a protest by students of Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune, the institute on Tuesday said that it was “working out mechanisms to meet most of” the demands submitted by the protesters.
Students have been occupying the corridor outside the dean’s office since August 27 in the aftermath of a student’s death on campus and an unrelated academic suspension of the general secretary of the students council.
In a statement, IISER said “Today, on September 1, 2026, Director Prof. Sunil Bhagwat informed everyone on the campus including students, faculty, and staff that that the institute authorities are working out mechanisms to meet most of these demands while balancing student safety, the interests of the diverse student community, including those who may not have participated in the peaceful sit-in, and the limits of the institute authority.”
The statement said that were two full time counsellors, with two more being added. It stated that two more part-time counsellors will be added. The statement also said that a relaxation of attendance from lectures and labs from August 17-31 will be provided.
It said changes in PhD students’ mobility between hostels were in deliberation as well as additional third spaces will be opened up.
IISER added that no retaliatory action will be taken against the current campus sit-in as long as it remained peaceful and lawful. However, the statement said that the director does not have any authority to revoke the appellate authority’s decision on Bagwe’s suspension.
On August 31, students had submitted a written list of demands to Sunil Bhagwat.
These demands included revoking general secretary Raj Bagwe’s academic suspension and reinstating his hostel accommodation; the institute’s commitment to health infrastructure by hiring six permanent counsellors and three permanent psychiatrists by October 31; a full attendance relaxation till mid-semester examinations; removing gender and time restrictions on mobility between Hostel 2 and A Wing of Hostel 3; providing third spaces for students, for example, lecture halls and seminar rooms outside working hours; guaranteeing no retaliatory action against students towards students participating in protests; and a formal acceptance of demands by August 31.
A student representative told The Indian Express, “We submitted the list of demands physically and through email yesterday (Monday) morning. It has been over 24 hours since we submitted the demands and we later also got an acknowledgement about it. We are still waiting for a response to the demands.”
What led to the protests
On August 16, a student was found dead on campus, following which students alleged they faced a dehumanising institutional response which included lacking meaningful academic accommodations for mental health, systemic redress, and basic institutional care. Students also alleged Bagwe was suspended in relation to an email he sent out over an alleged strip search of students on campus. In response, IISER had said that he was suspended for an incident involving “misconduct” dated May 5, 2026. The institute and police have not yet released details behind the circumstances of the death.
On August 31, students had submitted a written list of demands to Sunil Bhagwat. (Express Image)
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