1 hr ago
Wakode Parents Continue Hunger Strike, Demand Action in Mumbai
Sahil Wakode was a 22-year-old student at IIT Bombay.
He was found dead in his hostel room on September 18.
Earlier that day, he was allegedly caught using a mobile phone to access ChatGPT during an exam.
Sahil’s parents say he faced caste discrimination at the institute.
They are protesting in Mumbai and want the people they blame to be arrested.
The parents say they will continue their hunger strike until action is taken.
Police are investigating what happened before his death.
IIT Bombay has also created a committee to examine the case.
Some students are asking for a more transparent inquiry and better support for students.
Ravindra and Sonali Wakode entered the second day of a hunger strike at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan.
The parents are demanding justice for their son Sahil and action against those they allege were responsible for his death.
Sahil Wakode, 22, was found hanging in his IIT Bombay hostel room on September 18 after allegedly being caught using ChatGPT during an examination.
The family has alleged caste discrimination and demanded the arrest of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla and IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare.
The Crime Branch is examining evidence, while IIT Bombay has formed a 10-member committee to investigate the circumstances of Sahil’s death.
- Who
- Sahil Wakode’s parents, Ravindra and Sonali Wakode, are protesting and seeking action; Mumbai Police Crime Branch and IIT Bombay are investigating.
- What
- The parents are conducting a hunger strike and sit-in demanding justice, arrests, and accountability in connection with Sahil’s death.
- Where
- The hunger strike is taking place at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai, while related student protests are occurring at IIT Bombay.
- When
- The protest entered its second day on Tuesday; Sahil was found dead on September 18.
- Why
- The family alleges caste discrimination and seeks action against those named in the case involving alleged abetment to suicide.
Family and Student Concerns
Institutional and Investigative Process
Alleged discrimination and responsibility
Family and Student Concerns
Sahil’s parents allege that he faced caste discrimination and demand the arrest of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla and IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare.
Institutional and Investigative Process
The allegations are being examined through the police investigation and IIT Bombay’s inquiry committee; the articles do not report that the accused have been found responsible.
Inquiry committee
Family and Student Concerns
Protesting students have demanded that the existing inquiry committee be reconstituted, alleging that some members supported Doolla.
Institutional and Investigative Process
IIT Bombay has constituted a 10-member committee to inquire into the circumstances surrounding Sahil’s death.
Response to the protest
Family and Student Concerns
The family’s lawyer says no government representative had approached them, and the parents say they will continue protesting until action is taken.
Institutional and Investigative Process
Police are examining CCTV and other evidence and questioning people connected to the case, while Doolla has been sent on leave to support an impartial probe.
Key facts
- Student
- Sahil Wakode, 22, a second-year IIT Bombay student
- Date of death
- September 18
- Protest location
- Azad Maidan, south Mumbai
- Family’s demands
- Justice for Sahil, arrests, and punishment for those they hold responsible
- Family’s allegation
- Sahil faced caste discrimination at IIT Bombay
- Police investigation
- The Crime Branch is examining CCTV recordings and other evidence and questioning students, faculty, and administrative staff
- IIT Bombay inquiry
- A 10-member committee was formed to investigate the circumstances surrounding Sahil’s death
- Faculty action
- Professor Suryanarayana Doolla was sent on leave to facilitate an impartial probe
Quotes
Ravindra Wakode
Father of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode and participant in the protest at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan
“Until Doolla and Kedare are arrested, the hunger strike will continue.”
deccanchronicle.com
“The hunger strike will continue until the arrest is made.”
freepressjournal.in









