UoH PG student dies after alleged mob assault, student groups demand probe
HYDERABAD: A first-year postgraduate student died under disputed circumstances on May 17 after an alleged mob attack by fellow students at the University of Hyderabad (UoH). A coalition of student organisations strongly condemned the incident and blamed both the perpetrators and the university administration.
To provide further context, Mayukh Kundu, the deceased, was a first-year M.A. student in Financial Economics at UoH. According to a joint press statement from ten student organisations, including ASA, AISA, SFI, and Fraternity, students affiliated with ABVP and the ABVP-led Students’ Union gathered outside F Hostel on May 17. They accused Kundu of laptop theft and intended to take action against him.
The gathering quickly escalated into a mob that ignored institutional procedures, according to the statement. The mob allegedly harassed, humiliated, and physically assaulted Kundu. They reportedly detained him in a hostel room and coerced a confession to the alleged theft.
“The mob acted in a climate of fear and intimidation, completely disregarding due process and institutional mechanisms,” the student organisations said.
Furthermore, the statement reported that ABVP members verbally abused and publicly humiliated a Dalit Assistant Security Officer with casteist slurs and linguistic mockery while he tried to intervene.
Additionally, the student groups said Kundu’s teachers confirmed he was never found under the influence of drugs and described him as a bright student. “Any attempt to malign his image after his death, when he can no longer defend himself, is an attempt to protect the offenders,” they added.
In light of these events, the coalition presented several demands to the university administration. They want an independent fact-finding committee to investigate Kundu’s death, swift action against those responsible, accountability from the Proctor, Registrar, and Vice-Chancellor, fair compensation and a public apology to Kundu’s family, and a comprehensive student support and suicide prevention plan.
In response to the growing unrest, the university issued a circular on May 18, the same day as the press statement, declaring zero tolerance for violence, threats, intimidation, and indiscipline on campus. The Registrar signed the circular and expressed serious concern over intoxicant use, obstruction of officials, and other acts of indiscipline. The circular warned that any attempt to threaten, abuse, or assault employees or students would result in immediate disciplinary action, including rustication and police complaints.
However, the student organisations strongly criticised the administration’s response as delayed and vague, arguing it failed to identify those responsible or take corrective action. “This reflects a long-standing pattern of silence, inaction, and implicit support. It has enabled a culture of impunity and mob vigilantism on campus,” the statement read.
