Mumbai: The process of returning the personal belongings of students detained during a protest at IIT Bombay on Oct 18 reached a stalemate on Saturday. The students, though, objected to the institute following the protocol for returning lost-and-found items, maintaining that their belongings had been seized and should be returned in the presence of other students. The administration had asked the students to collect their belongings in the presence of a panel of professors and security staff.
Around 12-15 students have been protesting for over a month following the death by suicide of a second-year student, Sahil Wakode. On Oct 18, police had detained the protesting students, when their personal belongings were taken from the main entrance, which, according to the institute, were blocking the main entrance. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Mumbai | Silver Rate in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai | Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Petrol Price in Mumbai | Diesel Price in Mumbai | CNG Price in Mumbai | LPG Price in Mumbai Stay updated with the latest Mumbai news.
They alleged that the panel suspended the process, citing protocol that allowed only one student at a time, and said the institute’s procedures undermined student representation and accountability. “All department heads who were present are against any unofficial video of this process being posted on social media,” it added. as per its standard procedure, the students insisted on doing so in the presence of other students While the institute communicated a slot-wise schedule for the students to collect their belongings after due identification. The process was suspended after the two sides reached a stalemate. The institute, in the mail, claimed that they would take a call later after due deliberations. They agreed to the process but requested that six students be allowed to witness it and that both parties sign a statement confirming the handover. The institute, in a mail to the faculty members, stated: “The students insisted on deviating from the standard institute process that is followed for distributing the items. The students insisted on giving their own protocol for distributing the items…, which may be considered and discussed at appropriate institute bodies. The institute authorities added the students were arguing and continued videographing. The belongings included room keys, laptops, medicines and photos of leaders. Download the TOI App.
On Saturday, both the institute, in a statement to faculty members, and the protesting students accused the other side of recording the proceedings on video without authorisation. In a statement issued on Saturday, the protesting students said the panel asked them to sign a letter confirming that the belongings had been collected from the main gate and their ownership was undisputed.