The shadows of war have spread over the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay since the suicide of second-year BTech student Sahil Ravindra Wakode. Wakode was allegedly discovered in short time after being caught with a mobile phone during a mid-semester exam on 18 September in his hostel room.
IIT Bombay claims that Wakode found an unregistered smartphone along with the exam paper and uploaded a test paper on the AI application to look for answers. The institute has always stood firm that there was no formal disciplinary action initiated against him and that the concerned faculty members advised him.
The incident has since sparked protests on campus, with students, and the family of Wakode accusing the institution of caste and institutional harassment. These allegations are being investigated.
Faculty Forum Supports the Exam Invigilator
The IIT Bombay Faculty Forum has welcomed the report about Prof. Suryanarayana Doolla, who was reportedly the invigilator during the exam. Such a discovery by the professor prompted the forum to believe that the academic committed himself to a duty in its academic activities, which is why he carried out them, the forum said.
The faculty members too voiced their grief in Wakode’s case and took a dim view of allegations being against the professor. In the meanwhile, a police case has been filed against her based on a complaint made by Wakode’s parents alleging for caste-based discrimination and harassment. It has been handed over to the Mumbai Crime Branch for investigation.
Students Present 18 Demands
The students who set foot on the site of the IIT, Bombay have shared their 18-point charter of demands with the administration at this Institute of Technology. They demand an independent enquiry into Wakode’s death; more students’ representation in institutional committees; better counselling and mental-health facilities; and mental-health sensitisation programme for faculty and staff.
Students have also demanded that disciplinary policies change and a review of past student deaths on campus. They have demanded more transparency and accountability towards the government.
In a late night meeting Sunday, IIT Bombay`s director Prof Shireesh Kedare signed the charter with the students taking a three-day protest. The administration has said it will abide by the rule of law, and the agreement will be scrupulously analyzed at “an open house” on Thursday.