2 hrs ago
Minister Rejects Casteist Framing in IIT Bombay Student Suicide
Sahil Ravindra Wakode was a 22-year-old student at IIT Bombay.
He was found dead in his hostel room on September 18.
His parents said he had faced caste discrimination and harassment.
Police registered a case against a professor based on their complaint.
Students and political activists protested at the institute.
IIT Bombay removed its dean of Administrative Affairs, Suryanarayana Doolla.
Investigators said CCTV showed Sahil being taken aside after he was allegedly caught copying in an exam.
Maharashtra minister Pratap Sarnaik said some politicians were unfairly giving the case a casteist angle.
The police and crime branch are continuing to investigate.
Sahil Ravindra Wakode, a 22-year-old second-year BTech student, was found hanging in his IIT Bombay hostel room on September 18.
His parents alleged caste discrimination and harassment, leading to a police case against a professor under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act.
Maharashtra minister Pratap Sarnaik said some politicians were giving the suicide a casteist colour and argued that this should not happen in education.
IIT Bombay removed Administrative Affairs dean Suryanarayana Doolla after protests over the case and allegations against him.
Investigators said examination-hall CCTV showed Wakode being taken aside after allegedly being caught copying, followed by footage of him walking to his hostel room.
- Who
- Sahil Ravindra Wakode, an IIT Bombay student; his parents; IIT Bombay officials; police; and Maharashtra minister Pratap Sarnaik.
- What
- Wakode’s suicide prompted allegations of caste discrimination and harassment, protests, and a police case against a professor.
- Where
- IIT Bombay’s Powai campus in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- When
- Wakode was found dead on September 18; the minister’s comments and related developments were reported on September 22.
- Why
- Wakode’s parents alleged caste discrimination and harassment; Sarnaik said some politicians were giving the case a casteist colour.
Caste Discrimination Allegation
Casteist Framing Rejected
Cause and investigation
Caste Discrimination Allegation
Wakode’s parents alleged caste discrimination and harassment, prompting a police case and protests by students and political activists.
Casteist Framing Rejected
Minister Pratap Sarnaik said some politicians were giving the suicide a casteist colour and said this was wrong in the education sector.
Institutional response
Caste Discrimination Allegation
Protests and the allegations led IIT Bombay to remove Administrative Affairs dean Suryanarayana Doolla; Shiv Sena spokesperson Shaina NC called for the case to be fast-tracked.
Casteist Framing Rejected
IIT Bombay Faculty Forum president Rajkumar Pant said Wakode had not recently approached the institute’s SC/ST cell with a complaint.
Key facts
- Student
- Sahil Ravindra Wakode, 22, a second-year BTech student in Energy Science and Engineering
- Incident date
- September 18
- Location
- Hostel room at IIT Bombay’s Powai campus
- Allegations
- Wakode’s parents alleged caste discrimination and harassment
- Legal action
- A police case was registered against a professor under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act
- Institutional action
- IIT Bombay removed Suryanarayana Doolla as dean of Administrative Affairs
- Investigation detail
- CCTV footage reportedly showed Wakode being taken aside after he was allegedly caught copying and later walking to his hostel room
Quotes
Pratap Sarnaik
Maharashtra Transport Minister and Shiv Sena leader
“His (Wakode’s) father has complained about the casteist angle. Some political people are trying to give casteist colour to the issue. This is wrong. This should not happen in the education sector.”
theprint.in
Sources
Related news
IIT Bombay Student Death Prompts FIR, Crime Branch Probe
Father alleges caste harassment after IIT Bombay student's death
IIT Bombay Student Death Sparks Dispute Over Caste Abuse Claims
IIT Bombay Dean Removed as Wakode Suicide Probe Expands
Parents Allege Casteist Harassment Before IIT Bombay Student’s Death
IIT Bombay Crime Branch to Question Professor After Student Death
World Rose Day 2026 Highlights Cancer Support and Awareness
Kerala Cleric’s Remarks on Women Draw Cross-Party Backlash
BJP, Congress Clash Over Rahul Gandhi Uttarakhand FIR
NDA Leaders Challenge Owaisi’s Hijab Criticism Over School Dress Code
