Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Oct 2: Students at IIT Bombay have announced a hunger strike, intensifying their 14-day protest over the death of 20-year-old student Sahil Wakode and demanding accountability from the institute administration.
The students have called for the resignation of IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare and sought the suspension of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla from all responsibilities until the criminal investigation into Sahil’s death is completed.
The development comes amid an ongoing probe into Sahil’s death and a separate hunger strike by his parents, Ravindra and Sonali Wakode, at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan. The family has demanded the arrest of Professor Doolla and the institute’s Director, alleging that Sahil faced caste-based harassment and pressure before his death.
Sahil, a second-year BTech student, was found dead in his hostel room on September 18, hours after an incident during a mid-semester examination. His family has alleged caste-based harassment. The institute had initially linked the examination incident to alleged malpractice but later apologised for making public assertions before the investigation was completed.
The Mumbai Crime Branch is investigating the case. Police have registered an abetment-to-suicide case against Professor Doolla, while two other accused remain unidentified in the FIR. Investigators are examining CCTV footage, phone records and other digital evidence and have recorded statements from students, examiners, supervisors and administrative officials.
Students said hundreds of them gathered on campus following Sahil’s death and marched towards the main gate, demanding action against the institute administration. They said the Director addressed the gathering but his assurances did not resolve their concerns.
The students have demanded that the existing internal investigation committee be dissolved and replaced with an independent external panel without any current IIT Bombay employee or student as a member. They have proposed the inclusion of at least two among Bhalchandra Mungekar, P Sainath, Ram Puniyani and Sukhadeo Thorat on the panel.
Among their other demands are the immediate suspension of Professor Doolla until the criminal investigation concludes, the resignation of Director Shireesh Kedare, and measures to ensure that Sahil’s parents can safely visit the campus and meet students and the administration.
The students have also sought reforms in the Student Welfare Committee and Disciplinary Action Committee, greater transparency in disciplinary proceedings, reforms to the SC/ST Cell and filling of SC/ST faculty vacancies. Their demands also include changes to examination schedules, safer working conditions for campus workers and measures to address gender disparities among workers.
They have further demanded that no action be taken against students participating in the protest at the IIT Bombay main gate during or after the agitation.
The students said the hunger strike is intended to press the institute to address what they describe as institutional failures and accountability, while also opening a broader discussion on student welfare and campus systems.
Meanwhile, Sahil’s parents continue their hunger strike at Azad Maidan, seeking justice and action against those they hold responsible for their son’s death. The Crime Branch investigation remains underway, and no final conclusion has been reached on the circumstances that led to Sahil’s death.