Mumbai: IIT Bombay student representatives have clarified that the protests following the death of a second year student were not intended to defend cheating or academic misconduct, but to highlight concerns over institutional systems and seek reforms.
The statement was issued on September 21, days after the death by suicide of 20 year old Sahil Wakode, a student of the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, on September 18.
Student representatives described the death as a deeply tragic incident that had prompted students to examine the systems and processes within the institute. They stressed that students do not support cheating or any form of academic misconduct.
According to the statement, the protests were aimed at addressing concerns that students said had existed for some time and seeking institutional changes to prevent similar circumstances in the future.
The students said they had prepared a detailed set of demands and formally presented them to the institute Director. The Director acknowledged the demands and agreed to work towards their implementation within specified timelines.
An open house was also held with the Director and other members of the administration, allowing students to raise their concerns directly. The representatives said the administration responded to the issues raised during the interaction.
On Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, the students clarified that they had not presumed his guilt or prejudged the ongoing investigation. They said the investigation should proceed fairly and independently.
The students explained that their demand for Doolla to be relieved of his administrative responsibilities as Dean of Administrative Affairs was a precautionary measure during the investigation. They said any further action should be based on the findings of the established process.
The representatives also stressed that the concerns arising from the tragedy should remain centred on the IIT Bombay student community and addressed within the institute.
They said students would continue to seek accountability, transparency and institutional reforms while working with the administration towards creating a safer and more supportive campus.
