Mumbai: IIT Bombay student representatives have clarified that their protest following the death by suicide of 20-year-old student Sahil Wakode was not intended to defend cheating or academic misconduct, but to seek accountability, an impartial inquiry and institutional reforms.
In a statement issued on September 21, students said Wakode’s death on September 18 had prompted them to examine the institute’s systems, including student welfare, mental-health support and accountability.
They said their demands were presented to Director Prof Shireesh Kedare, who signed an 18-point charter and agreed to work towards implementation within specified timelines.
Addressing Prof Suryanarayana Doolla, the invigilator during Wakode’s examination, students said they had never presumed his guilt and wanted the investigation to proceed fairly.
Their demand was for Doolla to be relieved of his administrative duties as Dean during the probe. IIT Bombay has since removed him from the deanship, while he continues as a professor.
The charter includes an independent investigation into Wakode’s death, an implementation plan, stronger counselling and medical services, greater student representation and a task force involving students, faculty, mental-health experts and external specialists.
Students also said concerns must remain student-led and not be shaped by outside political or organisational interests.
Wakode’s family has alleged caste-based harassment, while police are investigating an abetment-of-suicide case.
IIT Bombay has said no caste-discrimination complaint was filed with its SC/ST cell or administration.
