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UPSC Coaching Centre Deaths Reveal Systemic Failures

UPSC coaching centre deaths in Delhi reveal severe regulatory lapses and systemic failures. Detailed investigation exposes negligence and the urgent need for accountability.

By Neeraj Thakur
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UPSC Coaching Centre Deaths

UPSC Coaching Centre Deaths Reveal Systemic Failures

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UPSC Aspirants' Deaths Reveal Systemic Negligence and Regulatory Failures

The tragic deaths of three UPSC aspirants—Tanya Soni, Shreya Yadav, and Nevin Delvin—occurred on Saturday in the basement of Rau’s IAS Study Circle in Central Delhi’s Old Rajinder Nagar. The incident unfolded when water suddenly flooded the basement of the coaching centre, leading to a swift and fatal inundation. 

This heartbreaking event has cast a harsh spotlight on the shadowy operations of Delhi’s coaching centres. These institutions, often seen as lifelines for ambitious students striving for prestigious government positions, are now under scrutiny for their safety standards and emergency preparedness. The deaths of these young aspirants have raised serious questions about the regulatory oversight and the accountability of such coaching centres

The three students met their tragic end while they were studying in the library located in the basement of Rau’s IAS Study Circle. Shockingly, this basement was being used as a library in clear violation of existing regulations. In the wake of the incident, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi took superficial action, sealing over a dozen coaching centres across the city. These centres were found to be operating illegally in basements, prompting immediate closures and the posting of notices. However, this reaction raises critical questions: What was the local administration doing all this while? Were they unaware of these blatant violations? 

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Amongst the superficial measures taken in the aftermath of this tragedy was the arrest of an SUV driver who allegedly waded through the waterlogged road, contributing to the breaking of the gates at Rau’s IAS Study Circle, where the UPSC aspirants met their untimely deaths. According to the police, the pressure from the SUV driving through the flooded street was a factor in the gates giving way. This explanation seems absurdly misplaced. 

If a person drives through a waterlogged area, and the resulting water pressure breaks a gate, should the driver be blamed? The real culprits are the authorities who failed to construct adequate roads and drainage systems capable of handling rainwater, and those who permitted the coaching centre to operate without necessary permissions. It is preposterous that a person simply navigating the city streets in such conditions faces arrest while systemic failures by the administration are overlooked. 

Would this driver have been arrested for the same actions on a regular, dry day? The authorities appear to be engaging in a blame game, deflecting responsibility to avoid scrutiny. 

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The civic body’s decision to initiate bulldozer action to remove encroachments blocking and covering drains, leading to waterlogging, is yet another example of superficial action. While these measures might appear decisive on the surface, they fail to address the root causes of the tragedy.

Sealing a handful of coaching centres and demolishing illegal structure

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