One of the 29 coaching centers in Delhi whose basements were shut by the MCD was Vikas Divyakirti’s Drishti IAS in Mukherjee Nagar.
Breaking his silence over the unfortunate deaths of three UPSC aspirants in the basement of a coaching in Old Rajinder Nagar, Vikas Divyakirti, founder and MD of Drishti IAS coaching school, claimed he has been attacked because in situations like this, “everyone wants a scapegoat”.
Following the deaths of three UPSC candidates in the basement of Rau’s IAS Study Circle, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi locked the basements of 29 coaching centers in Delhi, including Vikas Divyakirti’s Drishti IAS in Mukherjee Nagar. The MCD took action since it was purportedly operating against the construction by-laws of the local body.
Vikas Divyakirti promised in an interview with the news agency ANI that he would only operate in buildings that were sanctioned and that he would not do anything that is not permitted in Delhi.
“Given the current situation, I fully understand that it was a case of negligence. We never thought about it. Vikas Divyakirti stated, “I am expressing through your channel that we would not work in the basement if we have permission in the future.
“Under no circumstances do we accept facilities for rent that lack fire escapes, ensuring the safety of our workers and children at all times. This is what we want to do. The founder of Drishti IAS said, “I made an understanding error for which I am sorry to the entire nation and society. I hope that this mistake won’t be committed again.
Additionally, according to Vikas Divyakirti, a divisional head rank officer has been recruited to oversee the building’s safety, and a WhatsApp group has been established.
“A divisional head rank officer that was solely responsible for the building’s security was appointed by us 1.5 years ago. We started a WhatsApp group in January 2023, and I am a member of it. That group’s task is to verify 16 points: that the roof doors are open, the fire escape is clear, and there are no obstacles in the way, allowing kids to be evacuated in the event of an emergency.”
Additionally, he asserted that every building in Delhi that houses a tutoring center has two exits or more.
“Every day, these 16 points are examined…If you have the opportunity, please visit any of our branches in Delhi or outside of it to do a survey. I take responsibility if a building has two exits, he continued.
Divyakirti underlined that every teaching facility has a fire safety escape and stated that they have worked hard to establish safety standards.
“I’m giving you that assurance. Additionally, I like to see that no tutoring center in New Delhi operates out of a basement. Additionally, it must to include a fire safety escape if it passes over the basement. I just want to make one more thing clear. You could think I’m exaggerating. I’m confident that you won’t find building safety standards anyplace, given the amount of work we put into the issue,” he continued.
Why Vikas Divyakirti remained silent till now
The creator of Drishti IAS explained that his personality prevents him from being extremely talkative when asked why he hasn’t offered any ideas up until this point.
It’s just who I am—I’m not very expressive. Three kids lost their lives, and they did so in agony. For the past three days, whenever I go to sleep or we have a conversation at home, I can’t help but think of what those kids must have gone through when the water inside them filled up. Every statement made by the students who are now participating in protests is true. I’m glad I got to meet three or four students today, Tuesday. The Delhi L-G and I had a meeting. Along with the proprietors of other institutes, there were also several students present at that conference. Divyakirti stated in the interview that there were also senior officials from the Delhi government, including the Chief Secretary, the MCD, the DDA, and the fire department.
Death of three UPSC aspirants
Rainwater burst into the basement of the coaching institute building in Old Rajinder Nagar on July 27, killing three students: Shreya Yadav from Uttar Pradesh, Tanya Soni from Telangana, and Nevin Dalwin from Kerala.
After the MCD locked the institution’s basement, hundreds of students demonstrated on Monday night outside the Drishti IAS coaching center in Mukherjee Nagar and Old Rajinder Nagar, demanding responsibility.
Divyakirti also conveyed his dissatisfaction with how the matter had been portrayed in the media. The media were enraged because my name draws viewers, which is what networks desire. They gain more views by publishing my name and criticizing me. I remain at the top because of this,” he remarked.
Divyakirti compared the incident to a “virtual mob lynching,” blaming the social media outcry on the same platforms that had made him famous in the past.
