A breakthrough seems to be imminent in the standoff between protesting students enrolled at IIT Bombay and the authorities posted at the institute, following the suicide of second-year BTech student Sahil Ravindra Wakode on the institute premises. The premier institute has apologised for statements it had earlier made about the circumstances shrouding his death.
IIT Bombay also denied reports that the director of the institute, Shirish Kedar, had resigned, even as tensions remained at its peak following days of protests. The institute posted on ‘X,’, “Director IIT Bombay has NOT resigned. We categorically state that the related news is false.”
Wakode's father (left) and Wakode (Right)
Institute seeks apology over earlier statements
Subsequently, the institute expressed regret over the statements made in its earlier communication concerning Wakode’s death. Its statement read, “We apologise for the statements contained in our earlier communication concerning the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate demise of Sahil,” the institute said, adding that the details leading up to the incident remained subject to a probe by the authorities concerned.
IIT Bombay further acknowledged that it had been inappropriate to provide or characterise details about the events preceding the student’s death before they were established through the proper investigation process.
The developments emerged in the thick of the protests over allegations by students and Wakode’s family that he faced harassment on the institute premises and caste-based discrimination. His parents later filed a case under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, alleging he was subjected to discrimination and bias.
Director allegedly told protestors he would resign
The controversy went up a notch after Kedar told the agitators on Sunday night that he would step down from his post. He added that he would follow the required process before conveying his decision after a meeting on Monday.
He also signed a document containing 18 demands submitted by the protestors. Kedar and the students met again on Monday, and sources said two of the 18 demands had been fulfilled. The director is likely to address the media later in the evening.
The demands voiced by the protestors include student representation in academic committees, a fair probe into four cases of death by suicide on the campus and mental health workshops for professors.
IIT Bombay
Faculty forum defends suspended professor
Wakode was found dead in his hostel room on Friday, hours after he was allegedly caught using a cell phone and ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination.
The IIT Bombay faculty forum expressed solidarity with exam invigilator Suryanarayana Doolla, who has been suspended since the incident was reported. The forum said Doolla had adhered to the institutional procedure after discovering the student in ‘unauthorised possession and use of a smartphone.’
As per the faculty body, the professor had merely discharged his academic responsibilities and reported the incident to the authorities concerned for further action.
Mumbai Crime Branch spearheads probe
The Mumbai Crime branch has assumed charge of the probe into Wakode’s death and is examining possible digital evidence from his cell phone. However, no suicide note was found from the scene.
The cops are expected to summon the people named in the FIR, including Doolla, for questioning as part of the probe.