IIT-Bombay Accepts Student Demands After Dalit Scholar's Suicide, Protests Persist
IIT-Bombay has accepted 18 demands and formed an inquiry committee after the suicide of Dalit student Sahil Wakode, but protests continue over the institute's handling of the case.
The Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, has accepted a charter of 18 demands put forward by its students following the death by suicide of Sahil Wakode, a 20-year-old second-year B.Tech student, in his hostel room on September 18. The institute has also constituted a 10-member committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.
Wakode's parents have alleged that their son faced caste discrimination and have filed a First Information Report against faculty members under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The Mumbai Crime Branch is continuing its investigation into the matter.
The institute had initially said that Wakode was apprehended for cheating during an examination. It later issued an apology, stating that it was inappropriate to have set out or characterised details relating to the events preceding his death before they had been duly established through the appropriate investigative process.
What students are demanding
The charter of demands includes action against those responsible, an apology for the defamation of the deceased student, an open house with all stakeholders, an independent investigation, and accountability for implementing the demands. Students have also sought a code of conduct for professors, representation on academic and non-academic committees, and a task force dedicated to student well-being.
On mental health support, the demands include better handling of malpractice cases, in-person counselling, a round-the-clock psychiatrist on call, mental health sensitisation, dedicated time from the Dean for one-to-one interaction with students, and an open portal for student concerns. Students have asked for at least one counsellor for every 250 students to reduce waiting periods, independent audits of the Student Wellness Centre, and at least one counsellor in every hostel.
Institute response and continuing protests
IIT-Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare signed the memorandum submitted by the students. The institute suspended Prof. Satyanarayan Doolla from the position of Dean of Administrative Affairs and issued an apology for its earlier statement.
Despite these steps, some students have continued to protest, describing the apology as inadequate. In a letter, the Ambedkar Periyar Phule Study Circle IIT Bombay said the institution had not taken responsibility for tarnishing the reputation of the deceased, and that narratives casting doubt on his image had only compounded since then. The group has sought the resignation of the director, alleging that four suicides have occurred during his tenure, as well as the resignation of Prof. Doolla.
Faculty divided
The faculty remains split over the issue. Some members have questioned whether the institute followed due process for handling examination malpractice and whether Wakode was given a fresh answer sheet after being caught, as per the rules. The IIT-Bombay Faculty Forum issued a statement in support of Prof. Doolla, saying it was distressed by the vilification of a colleague's reputation through misleading reports. A group of faculty members distanced themselves from the forum, noting that it was not an official representative of the faculty and questioning how it could issue a statement in support of a faculty member while the case was still under investigation.
Caste discrimination in premier institutions
The numbers on caste discrimination in India's premier institutions remain stark. In September, the National Task Force on the mental health of students and prevention of suicides in higher educational institutions released its interim report. It said 13,600 students from disadvantaged communities had dropped out of premier institutions between 2018 and 2023. During this period, 4,596 OBC, 2,424 Scheduled Caste and 2,622 Scheduled Tribe students left central universities. At the IITs, the numbers were 2,066 OBC, 1,068 SC and 408 ST students. At the IIMs, 163 OBC, 188 SC and 91 ST students dropped out. The report noted that these dropouts occurred despite measures such as fee waivers, stipends and other government support, and said the figures pointed to academic or other forms of stress affecting students.
For those in distress, counselling is available at Tele MANAS 14416.