IIT Bombay Students Announce Hunger Strike After Sahil Wakode’s Death, Raise 10 Demands

The IIT Bombay students protesting on campus have announced a hunger strike following 14 days of demonstrations after BTech student Sahil Wakode’s death by suicide. The students are seeking accountability from the institute administration and have raised demands concerning student welfare, disciplinary procedures, the ongoing investigation and caste-related concerns.

Students seek accountability and independent probe

According to the protesting students, hundreds gathered on campus after news of Wakode’s death and marched towards the institute’s main gate. They demanded the resignation of Director Shirish Kedare and Professor Suryanarayana Doolla.

The students said they continued their sit-in after discussions about issues affecting campus life and alleged that the administration had not provided an official response to their demands. They also said the Director had made assurances that had not been fulfilled.

During the 14-day protest, students held discussions on mental health, student-teacher relationships, placement pressure, evaluation systems and coping with loss on campus.

What are the students’ 10 demands?

The students have called for greater accountability and an independent external investigation. Among their demands are the suspension of Professor Doolla from all responsibilities until the conclusion of ongoing criminal investigations and the dissolution of the existing investigation committee.

They have sought an external committee without prior allegations of caste-based discrimination and proposed names including Bhalchandra Mungekar, P. Sainath, Ram Punyani and Sukhadeo Thorat.

Other demands include the resignation of the institute Director, reforms to the Student Welfare Committee (SWC), regular audits of the SWC and changes to disciplinary procedures under the Disciplinary Action Committee (DAC).

The students have also sought reforms to the SC/ST Cell, including compliance with UGC requirements, publication of reports from the past three years and action concerning alleged caste-based attacks against Sahil and his family.

Additional demands cover hostel arrangements, examination scheduling, worker safety and gender disparities among workers. The students have also demanded that no action be taken against those participating in the Main Gate protest.

The students said the hunger strike and protest would continue until the institute takes concrete steps on accountability and the reforms they have sought.

Relevant official link: IIT Bombay