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IIT Bombay Tensions Rise After Student’s Death
Sahil Ravindra Wakode, a student at IIT Bombay, died by suicide on September 18.
Students began protesting because they said the institute needed to improve how it supports and treats students.
They said they do not support cheating or other academic misconduct.
Professor Suryanarayana Doolla was involved in an examination incident before Sahil’s death.
Students said Doolla should temporarily lose his administrative role while the investigation continues, but they did not say he was guilty.
Faculty members supported Doolla and said he followed the institute’s examination rules.
Sahil’s family alleges caste-based harassment and wants a thorough investigation, including by the CBI.
The police investigation has been transferred to the Mumbai Police Crime Branch.
Campus security was increased as student protests and faculty demonstrations continued.
Second-year student Sahil Ravindra Wakode died by suicide on September 18.
Student representatives said their protests seek institutional reforms, not justification of academic misconduct.
Students requested that Professor Suryanarayana Doolla be relieved of administrative duties during an impartial investigation.
Faculty members defended Doolla’s handling of an alleged examination violation and held a campus march.
Wakode’s family alleges caste-based harassment, seeks a CBI inquiry, and has requested examination-related evidence.
- Who
- IIT Bombay students, faculty members, Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, Sahil Wakode’s family, and Mumbai Police are involved.
- What
- The campus is facing protests, a faculty march, an investigation, and security measures after Wakode’s death.
- Where
- The developments are centered at IIT Bombay’s campus in Powai, Mumbai.
- When
- Wakode died on September 18; students issued their statement on September 21, and security was increased on the following Tuesday.
- Why
- Students are seeking institutional reforms, while the family alleges caste-based harassment and authorities investigate the examination incident and circumstances of Wakode’s death.
Student and Family Concerns
Faculty and Due-Process Concerns
Meaning of the protests
Student and Family Concerns
Student representatives say the protests address systemic problems, student support, accountability, and reforms rather than defending cheating.
Faculty and Due-Process Concerns
Faculty groups emphasize that examination rules must be enforced and that faculty should not face public vilification for following approved procedures.
Professor Doolla’s role
Student and Family Concerns
Students want Doolla removed from administrative responsibilities during the inquiry as a precaution, while saying they do not presume his guilt.
Faculty and Due-Process Concerns
The IIT Bombay Faculty Forum says Doolla was acting under Senate-approved policies when he reported the alleged examination violation.
Investigation and accountability
Student and Family Concerns
Wakode’s family alleges caste-based harassment, seeks a CBI probe and evidence, and wants responsibility established for what happened.
Faculty and Due-Process Concerns
Faculty groups call for a fair, transparent, and time-bound inquiry and warn against assigning blame before due process is complete.
Key facts
- Student
- Sahil Ravindra Wakode, a second-year BTech student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering.
- Date of death
- September 18
- Student position
- The protests oppose systemic shortcomings and seek reforms, not academic misconduct.
- Professor’s status
- Suryanarayana Doolla was temporarily relieved as Dean of Administrative Affairs but remains a faculty member.
- Police investigation
- The case was transferred to the Mumbai Police Crime Branch.
- Family’s demands
- Wakode’s family seeks a CBI inquiry, CCTV footage, and other evidence.
- Institute response
- IIT Bombay apologized for earlier characterizations of the examination incident before the investigation was complete.
Quotes
IIT Bombay student representatives
Student representatives who issued the September 21 statement
“We do not stand for or condone cheating or any form of academic misconduct. At the same time, the loss of our fellow student, Sahil, is a deeply tragic event that has compelled us to reflect on the systems and processes within our Institute,」「With respect to Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, we would like to clarify that our position has never been one of presuming guilt or prejudging the ongoing investigation. We stand with Professor Doolla as a member of our faculty community and believe that?”
deccanchronicle.com
thestatesman.com
“We strongly express our solidarity with our colleague Prof Suryanarayana Doolla, who was discharging his duties in line with the institute’s Senate-approved academic policies currently in force.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sahil's uncle
Uncle of Sahil Ravindra Wakode, speaking on the family's demands
“There must be a full inquiry, a CBI inquiry. After Sahil died by suicide, we learned he had been using a mobile phone; so, what exactly was happening inside the examination hall? What were the invigilators doing?”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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