Vikas Divyakirti, the founder of Drishti IAS, has claimed he is being unfairly targeted following the recent tragedy at Rau’s IAS Study Circle in Old Rajinder Nagar, where three students lost their lives. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) recently sealed the basement of Drishti IAS as part of a broader crackdown on illegally operated coaching institutes in the wake of the incident.
Divyakirti expressed his frustration on Monday, alleging that the intense scrutiny he faces is a result of the public and administrative desire for a scapegoat. “I am being targeted because, in such cases, everyone wants a scapegoat,” Divyakirti told ANI. He emphasized the emotional toll on students and lamented the tragic deaths of Shreya Yadav, Tanya Soni, and Nevin Dalwin, who drowned in the basement of Rau’s IAS Study Circle due to flooding on Saturday.
The MCD’s actions against Drishti IAS come amid a wider investigation into safety practices at educational institutions in Delhi. Divyakirti acknowledged the need for stricter regulations but expressed concern over the perceived uneven application of these standards. “We completely agree that the basement should be sealed,” he said, noting that similar underground spaces in Delhi, such as the Delhi Metro and Palika Bazar, are operational without similar issues.
The Drishti IAS founder defended the safety measures in place at his institute, asserting that all required permissions and layouts had been submitted to the MCD, DDA, and the fire department, and had not faced rejection. He pledged that even if future permissions were granted, the institute would avoid using basement spaces for operations.
Divyakirti’s statements followed a meeting with Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor, top officials from the Delhi government, and other stakeholders, where he and other coaching institute owners discussed the tragic incident and its implications. Despite the scrutiny, Divyakirti remains committed to ensuring safety and transparency in the management of educational spaces.
Sources By Agencies
