New Delhi: Three days after student protests erupted at IIT Bombay following the death by suicide of second-year BTech student Sahil Wakode, the institute on Monday apologised for statements in its earlier communication about the circumstances surrounding his death. “We apologise for the statements contained in our earlier communication concerning the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate demise of Sahil,” the institute said in a statement.
It added that, given the ongoing investigation, it was “inappropriate” to set out or characterise details about the events preceding his death before they had been established through the appropriate investigative process.
The institute also clarified that its director, Shireesh Kedare, had not resigned, calling reports of his resignation “false”. The clarification came after Kedare told protesting students that he would resign on Monday.
IIT Bombay also suspended the deanship of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla with immediate effect on Monday. Doolla was named in the FIR filed over the case.
The campus remained tense on Monday, with students demanding an independent inquiry, changes to disciplinary procedures and greater safeguards for students. The institute’s Board of Governors is also scheduled to hold an emergency meeting, after which Kedare is expected to hold an open house with students.
Wakode was found dead in his hostel room on Friday, hours after a mid-semester examination.
In a statement on Saturday, IIT Bombay said he had uploaded the question paper for the exam to ChatGPT from his phone to seek answers. He was subsequently spoken to by the instructor and department head, counselled and assured that the incident would not affect his academic career, the institute said. “No disciplinary action was initiated against the student,” it added.
The earlier statement, however, remained on IIT Bombay’s X account despite the latest communication.
It had drawn widespread criticism from students, who called it insensitive and questioned the institute’s handling of the circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death.
Kedare signed an 18-point charter of demands late Sunday night following a meeting with the protesting students.
Wakode’s parents have alleged that he faced caste-based discrimination and harassment at IIT Bombay. Based on their complaint, police registered an FIR naming Doolla and others under provisions related to abetment of suicide and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
IIT Bombay has denied the caste-discrimination allegation, saying Wakode had made no complaint to its SC/ST Students and Staff Cell.
The allegations are part of an ongoing police investigation and have not been established. Doolla has also stepped down from his position at IIT Bombay after being named in the FIR.
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Political voices rally behind professor
The institute’s Faculty Forum has rallied behind Doolla, who was invigilating the examination. The forum opposed action against him, saying he was carrying out his responsibilities under institutional rules after finding Wakode in “unauthorised possession and use of a smartphone” during the examination.
“The Faculty Forum of IIT Bombay is absolutely distressed with the tarnishing of the reputation of our colleague Prof. Suryanarayana Doolla, who was merely discharging his academic duties, and following the institute approved procedures,” a statement issued by the forum said.
Political figures and public personalities have also backed Doolla, questioning the action against him while the allegations of caste-based discrimination remain under investigation.
BJP’s Tenkasi district president Ananthan Ayyasamy wrote on X, “I strongly oppose the charges against Prof. Suryanarayana Doolla of IIT Bombay under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act,” and called for the case to be withdrawn.
He also alleged that the law was being “weaponised” in the case.
Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu, reposting Ayyasamy’s statement, wrote: “I deeply respect Ananthan’s principled stand in this matter. Prof Suryanarayana Doolla should not be subject to this.”
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also weighed in, questioning the decision to hold professors accountable for reporting alleged copying during an examination.
“While the death of the IIT Bombay student is extremely unfortunate and yet another reminder that these premier institutions need to work on the campus environment and mental health but to sack the professors to end the protests is just a band aid solution to a problem that needs surgery. Also, shifting the blame on the professors who were doing their job of reporting copying during an exam and making it about caste discrimination is a sad outcome,” she wrote on X.
3rd ‘unnatural death’ in campus this year
Wakode’s death was the third incident of “unnatural death” at IIT Bombay in seven months.
In February, 21-year-old second-year BTech Civil Engineering student Naman Agarwal died after falling from the terrace of a hostel building. Police initially registered an Accidental Death Report and said no suicide note was found.
In July, 20-year-old second-year Materials Science student Sohil Rajkumar Sangwan was found dead in his hostel room. Police said a preliminary investigation pointed to family-related issues and difficulties in a personal relationship, and that no foul play was suspected.
The deaths at IIT Bombay have come amid wider concerns over student suicides at the country’s premier engineering institutes.
At IIT Delhi, first-year BTech Civil Engineering student Harshit Swami was found dead on campus in March. Police registered a case of abetment of suicide based on a complaint by the institute’s security officer. IIT Delhi said it was deeply saddened by the death and that police were investigating, while offering support and counselling avenues to students and faculty.
In 2023, 18-year-old first-year BTech student Darshan Solanki died by suicide at IIT Bombay. His family alleged caste discrimination at the institute, while a police chargesheet said Solanki had told family members that students’ behaviour towards him changed after they learnt his caste.
Amid renewed concerns over academic pressure and student wellbeing, IITs have announced or strengthened several support measures in recent months.
On Sunday, IIT Kharagpur Director Suman Chakraborty posted a message ahead of examinations, telling students that “an exam measures what you wrote on one day. It does not measure who you are or what you will become.” He urged students to trust their preparation and said, “Whenever the pressure feels heavy, know that you are not carrying it alone. My hand is on your shoulder, today and always.”
(Edited by Chingkheinganbi Mayengbam)
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Let us get our facts right.
This student was caught cheating by this professor. Of course, the professor took action as per extant rules.
Now that the student unfortunately committed suicide, instead of learning from his mistake, we are all hounding this professor.
What exactly was he supposed to do? Look the other way while the student cheated?
The fact that fellow students at IIT Bombay are supporting this student and outraging against the professor reveals how deep the rot is even in our premier institutions.
Absolutely bonkers. A certain section just can’t stand merit or premier institutions in India. What should profs do now? Condone cheating?
Reservations have done this to the country as has left politics. Both need to be shunted out.