The day after Sahil Wakode’s fatal suicide, IIT Bombay’s administration convened a meeting with student leaders and parents at 9 a.m. on Monday, the campus’s main gate.
Wakode was discovered dead in his hostel room Friday after invigilator Suryanarayana Doolla caught him using a smartphone during a mid‑semester exam. The Faculty Forum said the professor had followed protocol and expressed grief for the loss.
Parents allege caste‑based harassment drove Wakode to despair and have filed a petition under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, demanding an independent inquiry.
The protest group "India Against Casteism" issued 18 demands, ranging from student representation on academic committees to workshops on mental health for faculty and a comprehensive review of the campus’s anti‑harassment policies.
During the late‑night session, the administration promised to issue a formal announcement on the demands later today. The protestors plan to converge on the main gate under the banner "India Against Casteism" at noon.
The campus, known for its rigorous academics, now faces scrutiny over its disciplinary procedures and campus climate. The outcome of the announcement, expected by 4 p.m., will set the tone for policy reforms and restore trust among students and families.