The parents of Sahil Wakode (20), the IIT Bombay student who died by suicide on September 18, have begun a hunger stike at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan, voicing demands for action against the ones those they allege tormented their son and abetting him to commit suicide. The BTech student was found dead inside his hostel room on September 18, hours after he was allegedly caught using a cell phone during the institute’s mid-semester exams.

Wakode’s parents have alleged that their son was repeatedly subjected to caste-based discrimination at the institute and have called for the arrest of two faculty members; Professor Suryanarayana Doolla and institute director Shireesh Kedare.

Parents seek action against alleged tormentors

Wakode’s father was quoted as saying by news agency PTI, “Those who tortured my son should be put behind bars. He had told us that he repeatedly faced caste discrimination at the institute.”

The family called upon the chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (SC) in Mumbai and submitted a memorandum seeking a speedy probe into their son’s death. Their protest surfaced amid demands for accountability over the circumstances surrounding the student’s death and the treatment he allegedly received at IIT Bombay.

Kin allege forced removal from Mumbai

Adding to the allegations, Wakode’s parents also alleged that they were forcibly taken out of Mumbai in a private car against their wishes early on Wednesday, hours before they were about to begin their hunger strike outside the IIT Bombay campus in Powai.

As per the family, they had intended to remain in Mumbai and begin their protest on Wednesday morning. They confirmed that they were seeking the immediate arrest of Doolla and Kedare.

The parents alleged that they were driven to Washim district, located at a distance of 555 kms from Mumbai, despite clarifying that they wanted to stay in the city.

A video has been making rounds on social media, in which the family can be heard alleging that they repeatedly asked the car’s driver where they were being taken. According to their account, the driver kept telling them that he was taking them home.

The family went on to say that they were tired and sleepy at the time.

Circumstances shrouding Wakode’s death being probed

Wakode’s death has triggered demands for an in-depth probe into the circumstances preceding it. His kin have maintained that their son had spoken to them about alleged caste discrimination at the institute.

Wakode was discovered dead inside his hostel room on September 18, hours after he was allegedly caught using a cell phone during the institute’s mid-semester exams. His parents are now seeking a speedy probe and action against those they hold responsible for what they call ‘the harassment and discrimination faced by their son.’