Students at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) have started a hunger strike to demand accountability following the death of second-year student Sahil Wakode. The students want a clear investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death and are calling for changes in the institute's leadership.
- Students demand an independent investigation into Wakode's death.
- They call for the resignation of IIT Bombay director Shireesh Kedare.
- Suspension of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla is requested due to allegations of caste-based discrimination.
- The hunger strike follows 15 days of ongoing protests.
- Wakode's parents are also protesting but faced restrictions from police on weekend demonstrations.
Why did IIT Bombay students begin a hunger strike?
The hunger strike started after the alleged suicide of Sahil Wakode, a second-year student at IIT Bombay. Wakode was found dead in his hostel room on September 18. It is reported that he was caught cheating during a mid-semester exam, which may have contributed to his death. The students believe the institute administration has not taken sufficient responsibility or provided transparency about the incident.
What are the main demands of the protesting students?
The students have presented an 18-point charter of demands to the IIT Bombay administration. Their key demands include:
- An independent and transparent investigation into Sahil Wakode's death.
- Changes in the inquiry committee appointed by the institute to ensure fairness.
- The resignation of the IIT Bombay director, Shireesh Kedare, due to perceived administrative failures.
- The suspension of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, who has been accused by Wakode's parents of caste-based discrimination.
How have Wakode's parents been involved in the protests?
Wakode's parents have been actively protesting at Mumbai's Azad Maidan, also through a hunger strike. However, the police have denied them permission to continue their protest on weekends. This restriction has motivated the students to intensify their own agitation by starting a hunger strike to keep pressure on the institute.
What actions have the students taken so far?
For 15 days, students have been protesting at IIT Bombay, demanding justice and accountability. On the day the hunger strike began, they marched to the main gate of the institute and submitted their charter of demands to the administration. The hunger strike is a step to escalate their protest and seek a response from the authorities.
What is the significance of the students' hunger strike?
The hunger strike highlights the students' serious concern about mental health, fairness, and discrimination within the institute. It also calls attention to the need for transparent investigations and accountability in educational institutions when tragic incidents occur. The protest aims to bring about changes that prevent similar incidents in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who was Sahil Wakode?
A: Sahil Wakode was a second-year student at IIT Bombay who was found dead in his hostel room on September 18, 2023. His death is reported to be an alleged suicide following accusations of cheating.
Q: What are the students demanding from IIT Bombay?
A: The students demand an independent investigation into Wakode's death, changes in the inquiry committee, the resignation of the institute's director, and suspension of a professor accused of discrimination.
Q: Why did the students start a hunger strike?
A: The hunger strike began to intensify their protest after Wakode's parents were restricted by police from continuing their hunger strike on weekends. The students want to press for justice and accountability.
