Rajasthan: Scholar hangs self, Vice-Chancellor faces flak

Mohit Kumar Chauhan was pursuing his PhD in mathematics from Rajasthan Central University

Days after a dalit scholar of Rajasthan Central University alleged harassment by vice-chancellor and senior professors, another PhD student from the same university has now committed suicide.

Mohit Kumar Chauhan, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, was pursuing his PhD in mathematics from the university. On Friday night, he did not respond to his friend’s phone call for dinner. A group of his friends then went to his hostel room, only to find him hanging from the ceiling.

IG (Ajmer) Malini Agrawal said: “He was with his hostel mates in the evening. He abruptly stood up in between the conversation and went to his room. When his mates phoned him for dinner, he did not take the call. After this, they went to his room to check on him and found him hanging. We are investigating what transpired between them.”

“His hostel mates got him down and rushed him to a hospital where he was declared brought dead,” the officer said. The police has recovered some documents from his hostel room, but could not confirm if there was a suicide note.

Chauhan was reportedly “depressed” as he was being harassed by a senior teacher, and this could be the reason why he took the extreme step. Umesh Kumar Jonwal, the dalit scholar who was recently expelled from the CURAJ following which he registered a case of harassment against the university, said: “Mohit was depressed for the past few days and used to tell us that his guide was harassing him. In fact, he asked me to help him on the issue just last week.”

He looked upset after a meeting between research scholars and the vice-chancellor to discuss fellowship and contingency fund. Sources said that Mohit, who comes from a modest background, looked disturbed after the meeting. However, vice-chancellor A.K. Pujari rubbished such rumours. “I met all PhD scholars today (Friday) and he was not even present. It is unfortunate because the meeting was very positive and had he been there, it might have boosted his morale.” he said.