IIT-Bombay students seek director’s resignation, independent probe into Wakode’s death

IIT Bombay students protesting the alleged suicide of second-year student Sahil Wakode began a hunger strike on Friday. They submitted an 18-point charter seeking an independent probe, changes to the inquiry committee, the director's resignation and action over alleged discrimination

Mumbai: A group of IIT Bombay students protesting the alleged suicide of second-year student Sahil Wakode began a hunger strike on Friday, demanding accountability from the institute administration and the resignation of its director.

The students, who have been protesting for the past 15 days, decided to intensify their agitation after Wakode’s parents, who are on hunger strike at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan, were denied permission by police to continue their protest on weekends.

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Sahil Wakode was found dead in his hostel room at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay on September 18 after allegedly being caught cheating during a mid-semester examination.

The protesting students marched towards the main gate on Friday and presented an 18-point charter of demands to the administration.

Their key demands included an independent and transparent investigation into Wakode’s death, changes to the inquiry committee appointed by the institute, the resignation of IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare, and the suspension of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, who has been accused of caste-based discrimination by Wakode’s parents.

The students said they would continue their agitation through the hunger strike to press for justice and accountability from the institute.