Delhi UPSC Aspirants’ Deaths: Key Demands Of Hunger Strike Protesters

The student protest over the deaths of three civil services aspirants in a flooded Delhi coaching center basement has reached its fourth day. The victims—Shreya Yadav from Ambedkar Nagar, Tanya Soni from Telangana, and Navin Dalwin from Ernakulam—died on Saturday evening after being trapped in the basement library of Rau’s IAS Study Circle, which was submerged due to rain.

The Delhi Police have arrested seven individuals related to the incident, including the CEO of Rau’s Study Circle, the center’s coordinator, four basement owners, and the driver of an SUV that caused the flooding.

Students from various coaching centers have been protesting outside Rau’s Study Circle since Sunday. Some have also begun a hunger strike against the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to demand changes.

According to PTI, the protesters are seeking ₹5 crore in compensation for the victims’ families. They also want the FIR details disclosed, a committee report issued within a specified timeframe, and a ban on using basements for educational purposes in Delhi.

An unnamed student on hunger strike told PTI, “We had a brief hope that the administration and UPSC coaching authorities would listen, but after four days, it’s clear our protest isn’t making progress.”

The student added, “We’re not taken seriously. They think we’ll eventually give up and return to our studies, but we’re here to ensure justice is served.”

In response, the Delhi government plans to introduce a bill to regulate coaching centers, outlining requirements for infrastructure, teacher qualifications, and fees. Delhi Education Minister Atishi has stated that students from coaching centers will be consulted at the secretariat.