New Delhi: Vikas Divyakirti, a renowned teacher and head of popular coaching institute Drishti IAS, Tuesday released a statement apologising for his delayed response to the death of three UPSC aspirants who drowned after the basement of Delhi’s RAU’s IAS coaching centre got flooded.
This came a day after several UPSC aspirants gathered outside his residence Monday night, demanding support and a reaction to the deaths.
“We did not want to comment based on incomplete information, and we apologise for the delay,” read the statement by Vikas Divyakirti, released Tuesday afternoon in Hindi.
The incident has sparked widespread protests by students across the city. Hundreds of aspiring civil servants have been protesting in Delhi’s IAS coaching hubs, Old Rajinder Nagar and Mukherjee Nagar.
“The anger among students regarding this accident is completely justified. It would be beneficial if this anger is directed towards advocating for government policy guidelines for coaching institutes. We are ready to actively cooperate with the government in this regard,” the statement added.
It also mentioned the actions taken by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).
“The extensive action taken by the Delhi Municipal Corporation in the last few days is a welcome development,” it said.
Divyakirti went on to suggest steps for the government in the statement.
“A permanent solution to this problem would involve the government selecting specific areas in Delhi for coaching institutes. If the government itself prepares museums, libraries, and halls, there will be no issues with their maintenance or security provisions,” he suggested. “We assure you that we will be more vigilant regarding the safety of the students.”
However, speaking to ANI, Divyakirti claimed that he was being treated like a “scapegoat”. Drishti IAS, the institute founded by him, is among the coaching centres whose basements have been sealed by MCD following Saturday’s incident.
“I am getting targeted because in such cases, everyone wants a scapegoat. It makes things easier for the administration. They think they are safe and let that one person suffer, and even the society feels that they have got the accused… The students are going through emotional turmoil. The reason for their anger is why I did not stand with them,” he said.
“The sealing action took place in more than 50 institutes, one of them is ours… Three children died, it was a painful death… All the things said by the students protesting right now are valid. It is good that I have met three-four students today. I had a meeting with Delhi LG. Some students had also come to that meeting and there were also owners of many institutes. There were also top officials of the Delhi government…from DDA, MCD, fire department, chief secretary…,” he added.
Protesting aspirants in Old Rajinder Nagar have demanded a visit by the MCD commissioner to the protest site. They are also seeking a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of the deceased and action against unauthorised constructions in the area.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena had Monday announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of the three civil services aspirants who died.
(Edited by Mannat Chugh)
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