Student groups and alumni have alleged systemic issues within the IIT Bombay’s administration, including concerns over disciplinary practices, mental health support and mechanisms to address discrimination, even as the faculty forum of the institution said it "stands strongly" with Prof Suryanarayana Doolla, who was removed from the post of Dean (Administrative Affairs) with immediate effect, days after a student's suicide.
Sahil Ravindra Wakode, a second-year BTech student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, was found hanging from a ceiling fan in his hostel room on the IIT Bombay campus on Friday evening. According to officials, the incident occurred hours after he was allegedly caught using a mobile phone during an examination.
His family has alleged that Wakode faced institutional harassment and caste-based discrimination before his death. The allegations triggered protests by students, who claimed he was subjected to severe pressure and threats of academic suspension.
Amid the growing outrage, members of political and social organisations gathered outside the institute's main gate to protest against the administration. Police detained Youth Congress workers protesting outside the campus on Monday and stepped up security in and around the institute.
Several local residents and alumni also attempted to visit the campus, but entry was restricted to current students and authorised staff as a precautionary measure.
Student groups and alumni have alleged deeper administrative issues within the institute.
Pranav Jeevan, an alumnus of IIT Bombay, criticised the administration's handling of student affairs and mental health concerns.
"The administration frequently punishes students with arbitrary threats of hostel eviction, suspension and heavy financial penalties, even fining students up to Rs 1.5 lakh for organising a play. Despite past tragedies, the campus lacks effective caste sensitisation, adequate mental health support and an empowered SC/ST Cell to address discrimination," he alleged, according to news agency PTI.
Jeevan also claimed that official statements issued before a detailed investigation appeared aimed at protecting faculty members and alleged that non-compliance with faculty reservation norms remains an unresolved issue.
Some students also raised concerns about academic stress and institutional practices. A student who lived in the room next to Wakode and interacted with him regularly said students faced immense academic pressure.
"Students face immense academic pressure here, which the management needs to address. However, I personally never witnessed casteism on campus. On the day of the incident, a professor reportedly took Sahil out of the classroom after he was allegedly caught cheating. Something serious must have triggered him to take such an extreme step," the student said on condition of anonymity.
Security has since been strengthened around the campus, with around 50 police personnel deployed and multiple police vans stationed at the institute's gates. Police said investigations into the circumstances surrounding the student's death are ongoing.
Meanwhile, faculty forum, a formal body of the institute, consisting of over 750 members, said it was "distressed by the vilification of our colleague's reputation by false and misleading media reports".
In an official statement, Prof Rajkumar S. Pant, president, faculty forum, IIT Bombay said, "We would like to clarify that contrary to several media reports, Prof. Suryanarayana Doolla has not been suspended from his service from IIT Bombay and continues to be a member of the institute's faculty in good standing."
The faculty forum understands that he has been temporarily relieved from his duties as Dean (Administrative Affairs) of the institute to enable an independent, unbiased investigation of the unfortunate incident on September 18, Pant further said in the statement, reported PTI.
"The faculty forum of IIT Bombay stands strongly with our colleague Prof. Suryanarayana Doolla. During his long tenure as Dean (Student Affairs), Prof Doolla was instrumental in setting up several initiatives for the welfare of the student community on campus," the statement said.
"We are distressed by the vilification of our colleague's reputation by false and misleading media reports. We also reiterate that we are pained by the sad demise of our student due to the unfortunate incident on September 18," the statement added.
