IIT Bombay protests erupt following death of student Sahil Wakode

Protests have intensified at IIT Bombay following the death of Sahil Wakode, a 22-year-old student found dead in his hostel room on September 18. Wakode’s parents have alleged that caste-based discrimination and harassment by a faculty member, Suryanarayan Doolla, drove him to suicide. In response, the parents have launched an indefinite hunger strike at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan, appealing to students for support.

Students at the institute have organized candlelight marches and are demanding a reconstitution of the internal investigation committee. They have called for an independent external body to lead the probe, citing concerns that current members lack impartiality. Protesters have also called for the suspension of Professor Doolla and the resignation of IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare.

Mumbai Police have questioned approximately 20 individuals, including students, faculty, and administrative staff, to establish a timeline of events. Investigators are also working to access data from Wakode’s mobile phone. The institute has issued apologies regarding previous communications that suggested the death was linked to an allegation of using ChatGPT during an examination.