IIT-Bombay Students Protest After Scholar's Suicide, Demand Independent Probe

Students at IIT-Bombay have staged a protest on campus a day after second-year BTech student Sahil Wakode was found hanging in his hostel room on September 18, demanding an independent inquiry into his death and accountability from the institute's administration.

The protesters are also pressing for a wider investigation into four student suicides reported on the campus over the past year, and have called for the resignation of the institute's Director and Dean.

At the centre of the dispute is the disciplinary process that preceded Wakode's death. According to the students, he was formally accused of cheating after being caught using a mobile phone during an examination, and was told that a Disciplinary Action Committee (DAC) would be set up to examine the case, with the possibility of academic suspension of up to one year. The students have questioned the transparency of that process and the absence of effective student representation on the committee.

The institute, however, maintains that no disciplinary action was initiated against Wakode. It said the matter was discussed with him by the instructor and the Head of the Department, who counselled him and assured him that the incident would not adversely affect his academic career.

Students have also disputed the institute's account referring to Wakode being caught using ChatGPT to upload an examination question paper, saying it does not present the complete circumstances of the case.

Ten-point charter of demands

The protesters have put forward a 10-point list of demands. These include student representation on examination and other academic committees, an institute task force on student suicides, and an independent inquiry with public disclosure into all four suicide cases reported at IIT-Bombay in the past year.

The students have also demanded that no disciplinary action or intimidation be taken against those protesting over Wakode's death.

Other demands include a break after the mid-semester examinations, compulsory mental-health sensitisation workshops for professors, and the smooth functioning of the Students Wellness Centre.

The protesters have sought compensation for Wakode's family and the return of the fees paid for his education at IIT-Bombay. They have also called for an anonymous online portal through which students can raise concerns and make them visible to other users.