After initially indicating that they viewed the Sahil Wakode suicide case as a confirmed caste discrimination issue, the IIT Bombay Student Representatives body has said that they no longer hold this view. In a statement issued on 21st September, the IIT Bombay Student Representatives body said it does not condone or justify academic misconduct and stands with Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, a faculty member who has been booked under the SC/ST Act.
“We do not stand for or condone cheating or any form of academic misconduct. At the same time, the loss of our fellow student, Sahil, is a deeply tragic event that has compelled us to reflect on the systems and processes within our Institute. The protest initiated by students was not intended to justify academic misconduct. It was a collective effort to raise concerns about systemic issues that have existed for some time and to seek meaningful and strong institutional reforms so that no student has to face circumstances of this nature again…” the statement reads.
Clarifying its position on Professor Suryanarayana Doolla and the allegations brought up against him by the family of Sahil Wakode, the IIT Bombay Student Representatives press release states, “…We are also happy to note that an open house with the Director and other members of the Institute administration was held, providing students with an opportunity to directly raise their concerns and questions… With respect to Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, we would like to clarify that our position has never been one of presuming guilt or prejudging the ongoing investigation. We stand with Professor Doolla as a member of our faculty community and believe that the investigation must be allowed to proceed fairly and impartially.”
It added that their demands for relieving Professor Doolla from his administrative duties stemmed from a quest for an independent and impartial probe.
“Our demand was that he be relieved of his administrative duties as Dean of Administrative Affairs during the pendency of the investigation, as a precautionary measure to ensure that the investigation remains completely independent and cannot be influenced in any manner. The findings and appropriate action should follow from the established investigative process…” it adds.
Sahil Wakode’s suicide and the caste discrimination spin
Sahil Wakode, a 2nd-year BTech student at IIT Bombay, took his own life on Friday (18th September) after being caught red-handed by Professor Suryanarayana Doolla. He later committed suicide in his hostel room.
Thereafter, protests erupted on the institute campus, demanding action against the esteemed faculty member. A day later, on Saturday (19th September), Sahil’s parents alleged that Professor Doolla had been mentally harassing and using casteist slurs against their son for 3 months at the behest of IIT Bombay’s Director Shireesh Kedare.
Notably, not a single complaint was ever filed against Professor Doolla or Shireesh Kedare either with the administration or the SC/ST cell of IIT Bombay during Sahil’s tenure at the institute.
