IIT Bombay student’s parents begin hunger strike, demand arrest of officials
Mumbai/IBNS: The parents of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode, who died by suicide in his hostel room, began a hunger strike at Azad Maidan on Thursday, demanding the arrest of institution officials named in the First Information Report (FIR) registered in connection with his death.
Ravindra and Sonali Wakode began the hunger strike after holding discussions with the police, following a brief demonstration outside the IIT Bombay campus gates.
Student allegedly used ChatGPT during exam
According to IIT Bombay, Wakode was allegedly found using his mobile phone during an examination and had uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT to seek answers.
The institute said Wakode was subsequently counselled by the instructor and the Head of the Department. IIT Bombay maintained that he was assured the incident would not adversely affect his academic career and that no disciplinary action had been initiated against him at that stage.
Wakode later returned to his hostel room, where he was found dead.
Students demand transparency
Wakode's death triggered protests at the IIT Bombay campus, with hundreds of students demanding greater transparency from the institute over the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The protesters alleged that Wakode had been threatened with a one-year suspension and that he could have been asked to vacate the hostel.
IIT Bombay, however, has maintained that no disciplinary action had been initiated against him.
Parents allege harassment, caste discrimination
Wakode's parents have alleged that their son faced harassment at IIT Bombay and had previously spoken to them about caste discrimination.
His father, Ravindra Wakode, has accused Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, the invigilator during the examination, of discriminating against his son and demanded his arrest.
Doolla, who is at the centre of the controversy surrounding Wakode's alleged suicide, has been sent on leave by IIT Bombay, NDTV reported.
According to the report, Doolla was removed as Dean of Administrative Affairs on Monday following protests by students over the case.
A case has been registered against Doolla on charges including alleged abetment and caste discrimination.
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