Mumbai: Following the tragic suicide of IIT-Bombay student Sahil Wakode in his hostel room, students have organized protests on campus. They are calling for an independent investigation into his death, accountability from the institute’s administration, and a review of four other student suicides that have occurred over the past year.
The protesting students have also called for greater student representation in academic and disciplinary committees, mental-health measures and the resignation of the institute’s Director and Dean. They claim, he was informed that a Disciplinary Action Committee, or DAC, would be set up to investigate the case and that he could face academic suspension of up to one year. The students have questioned the transparency of the disciplinary process and the lack of effective student representation in the committee. However, the institute maintains that no disciplinary action was initiated against the student. The matter was also discussed with the student by the instructor and the Head of the Department, who counselled him and assured him that the incident would not adversely affect his academic career.
The second-year BTech student was found hanging in his Hostel room on September 18. The protesters have put forward a 10-point list of demands, including student representation in examination and other academic committees, an institute task force on student suicides, and an independent inquiry with public disclosure into all four student suicide cases reported at IIT-Bombay in the past year.
Wakode was formally accused of cheating after he was caught using a mobile phone during an examination, according to the students’ statement.
