3 hrs ago
IIT Bombay Faculty Forum Faces Criticism Over Professor Support
A student at IIT Bombay allegedly died by suicide after being accused of exam-related misconduct.
His parents filed a police complaint naming Professor Suryanarayana Doolla for allegedly harassing him.
The institute first said the student had used a phone during an exam.
It later apologized for sharing details before investigators had confirmed them.
A faculty group publicly supported the professor.
Some teachers said this could put pressure on the investigations.
They also questioned whether the group was properly elected and represented all teachers.
A 10-member committee is investigating what happened.
Some IIT Bombay teachers criticized the Faculty Forum for publicly supporting Professor Suryanarayana Doolla during ongoing internal and police inquiries.
Doolla was named in an FIR filed by the parents of student Sahil Wakode, who allegedly died by suicide.
The institute initially said Wakode had used a phone during an exam and uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT.
IIT Bombay later apologized for describing events before they had been established through investigation.
Critics questioned the Faculty Forum’s authority, election process, social representation, and use of the institute’s logo.
- Who
- IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode, Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, the IIT Bombay Faculty Forum, and critics within and outside the institute.
- What
- Teachers criticized the Faculty Forum for supporting Doolla while inquiries into Wakode’s alleged suicide and harassment allegations remain ongoing.
- Where
- The events concern IIT Bombay.
- When
- Wakode allegedly died on Friday; the Faculty Forum issued its statement on Sunday, and IIT Bombay apologized on Monday.
- Why
- Critics said the Forum presented alleged academic malpractice as established, could influence the investigation, and may not have proper representative or legal authority.
Critics of the Faculty Forum
Faculty Forum Supporters
Effect on the investigation
Critics of the Faculty Forum
Publicly defending Doolla and describing misconduct as established could pressure or influence the internal and police inquiries.
Faculty Forum Supporters
The Faculty Forum said Doolla was merely performing his academic duties and expressed solidarity with him while seeking to present its account.
Status of the student’s conduct
Critics of the Faculty Forum
Critics said no competent investigating or disciplinary authority had completed the process, so the allegation of malpractice should not have been treated as proven.
Faculty Forum Supporters
The Faculty Forum characterized the student’s conduct as academic malpractice involving unauthorized possession and use of a smartphone during the exam.
Forum’s authority and representation
Critics of the Faculty Forum
Critics questioned whether the Forum was registered, properly elected, legally authorized, or representative of faculty from all social categories.
Faculty Forum Supporters
The Forum issued a public statement in support of the professor; no response from its head or the institute’s director had been received.
Key facts
- Student
- Sahil Wakode, a second-year BTech student belonging to the Scheduled Caste category
- Accused professor
- Suryanarayana Doolla, named in the parents’ FIR for allegedly harassing Wakode
- Institute’s initial account
- IIT Bombay said Wakode was found using a mobile phone during an exam and had uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT
- Institute apology
- IIT Bombay later said it was inappropriate to characterize events before they were established through investigation
- Investigation
- IIT Bombay established a 10-member committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death
- Faculty Forum position
- The Forum expressed solidarity with Doolla and described the student’s conduct as academic malpractice
- Criticism
- Teachers questioned the Forum’s legal standing, election process, social representation, and use of the institute’s logo
Quotes
Suryakanta Waghmore
Professor of sociology at IIT Bombay
“Someone pursue legal action against Prof. Pant who is not even an elected member of this body. There have been no elections which were due, and yet he’s making such absurd comments.”
telegraphindia.com
“It is unfair for the faculty forums to issue statements relying on information that has not been established. These forums should be barred from using the logo of the institute too.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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