Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: SriRam IAS coaching centre in Delhi’s Old Rajendra Nagar issued a clarification on Sunday night following severe backlash for a social media post that was criticized as insensitive amid ongoing protests over the tragic deaths of three UPSC civil services aspirants. The deaths occurred due to basement flooding at another coaching institute.
The contentious post, which has since been deleted, read, “We express our solidarity with the ORN Aspirants. It’s time for soul searching on the part of everyone. Remember, you should not be a part of the HERD so that you are HEARD.” Many viewed this message as apathetic and mocking in the context of the tragic incident.
In response to the criticism, SriRam IAS released a clarification stating that their previous message was misunderstood. “We intended to express that you are on a historic path. To drive meaningful change in society, it’s crucial to step away from the conventional and carve out your own unique path. Stand out and be HEARD. We are with you,” the statement read.
The original post and its timing, coinciding with students protesting for justice for the deceased, sparked outrage on social media. One user on X (formerly Twitter) called the letter “an insult to the deceased students as well as protesting students,” while another accused the coaching institute of being “insecure regarding the students’ protest.”
Meanwhile, student protests continued in the national capital, with demonstrators demanding accountability for the deaths at Rau’s IAS coaching centre and action against those responsible for the negligence that led to the fatal basement flooding.
In the wake of the incident, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) sealed seven properties and three basements in the Karol Bagh Zone for violating building bye-laws. According to an MCD release, Rau’s IAS Study Circle property owner, despite having the required documents, was using the basement for purposes other than parking and storage, such as a library or reading hall, which is a violation of building bylaws. Additionally, the coaching centre operated without adhering to fire clearance conditions.
The building’s owner and the coaching institute’s coordinator have been detained by police, who are reviewing CCTV camera footage to understand how the basement flooded so quickly.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety standards and regulatory compliance of coaching centres in Delhi, prompting authorities to take stringent actions to prevent such tragedies in the future.
