Following the alleged suicide of a BTech student last week, IIT Bombay authorities have decided to replace all ceiling fans across the campus and student hostels with wall-mounted units, according to reports.
Sahil Ravindra Wakode, a 22-year-old second-year student, was found hanging from a ceiling fan in his hostel room on Friday evening, hours after he was allegedly caught using a mobile phone during a mid-semester examination.
According to an NDTV report, the first batch of wall-mounted fans has arrived on campus, and installation is expected to begin shortly. However, institute authorities have maintained that the replacement is part of a previously planned hostel renovation project.
The report said that the discussions regarding the replacement of ceiling fans had been ongoing for about two months before the proposal was recently approved.
Images of the newly arrived batch of wall-mounted fans have since drawn mixed reactions online. Criticizing the initiative, NCP (SP) spokesperson Anish Gavande argued that replacing fans will not address the underlying causes of student distress.
"Does IIT Bombay really think that replacing ceiling fans with wall fans will solve the suicide problem affecting IITs across the country?" he questioned.
Meanwhile, the Crime Branch wing of the Mumbai Police has intensified its investigation into Wakode's death. They are also examining additional CCTV footage from across the campus to establish Wakode’s movements after he left the examination hall.
The student’s death has sparked a wave of protests after his parents alleged he was subjected to institutional harassment and caste-based discrimination.
