Prologue

The Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad (IIIT A) is a premier institute in the field of computer science in India. Together with the IITs and NITs, it ranks among the reputed institutions of higher learning in India (click here to learn more about IIIT). Ever since its inception, IIIT Allahabad has been run by Dr. M.D. Tiwari (Director, IIIT Allahabad). Through the several extensions and appointments he obtained in his 12 year reign at IIIT Allahabad, he was able to enforce his writ on the institution and install his yes-men at positions of importance in the institute. The coterie around him runs the institute like their private fiefdom and atrocities are let loose upon those who whisper or blow a whistle. In recent years corruption at IIIT Allahabad has grown rampant and many have suffered at the hands of the administration. In the absence of proper medical facilities three students have died in the last four years. In a recent incident a first year student, Akshya Tyagi died at the Naini campus of the Institute when the college bus ran over him and he could not be rushed to any medical help as he was housed in a hostel 30 km away from the main Allahabad city and 25 km away from the main campus of IIIT. IIIT students saw this incident as just another effect of the corruption and mismanagement that has plagued the institute for long. IIIT students have been protesting peacefully for the Director's ouster ever since and this blog is a running collection of incidents, media updates and news from the ground and beyond. These protests have now reached a global scale with alumni members from every nook and corner of the world joining hands to register their voices against injustice. Akshya could have lived amongst us but for the corrupt ways of some. This blog is dedicated to the memory of that student.