IIT Bombay students submitted eighteen demands to the administration after a student’s death.
MUMBAI: IIT-Bombay director Shireesh Kedare signed an 18-point charter of demands put forward by protesting students during a three-hour late-night meeting at the institute’s main gate on Sunday, as agitation continued over the death by suicide of second-year BTech student Sahil Wakode. The meeting was recorded live by students.
An interim report should be submitted by September 30 and the final process and conclusions made public by October 15. Better in-person counselling: IIT Bombay should have at least one counsellor for every 250 students to reduce waiting times. 24/7 psychiatrist and better-prepared hospital: Students have demanded a round-the-clock psychiatrist on call at IIT Bombay Hospital, better-qualified emergency and night-shift doctors, regular mental-health training for hospital staff and a mechanism to address students’ concerns about the hospital. Dedicated Dean SA hours: At least 20 hours a week from the Dean SA office for one-on-one interactions with students. Students have sought written responses to concerns within 48 hours and weekly publication of available interaction slots. The letter concludes by asking the institute to provide a written response within 24 hours and an implementation plan before September 26. The demands came amid continuing protests on the Powai campus following Wakode’s death on September 18.
Monetary support: Fair and prompt monetary assistance for the four families who have lost a loved one in recent months at IIT Bombay, in consultation with the families, along with continued institutional support. It is signed by “Students, IIT Bombay. 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.
The IIT Bombay Faculty Forum, meanwhile, has expressed solidarity with Doolla and said he was following institute-approved academic procedures. Independent investigation : An independent panel of professors, student representatives, external members and members recommended by students to investigate the circumstances surrounding Sahil’s death, including the emergency and hospital response. Student representation: Voting power for student representatives in academic and non-academic committees concerning students, with equal student representation and no administrative veto over the student voice. Re-evaluation of decisions: Decisions affecting student culture that were imposed without consultation should be reconsidered after taking students’ views into account. Code of conduct for professors: A committee should be formed to establish a process for complaints against professors, including an escalation mechanism and a defined timeline for evaluating cases. Improved handling of DAC cases: When a student is caught committing malpractice, the matter should not be handled in isolation. The student’s mentor or student companion and a student buddy chosen by the student should be informed immediately. Interactions concerning the case should be documented and conducted with these persons’ knowledge. Students have also sought independent audits of the Student Wellness Centre and at least one counsellor in every hostel. Mental-health sensitisation: Mandatory sensitisation workshops every two months for professors and staff who directly interact with students, with the training also incorporated into onboarding. Support for hostel wings: The administration should support students in bringing hostel wings back together and ensure that wingmates remain together in subsequent years, with adjacent rooms, to preserve their support network. Open student concerns portal: A portal where students can raise institute-wide concerns, with their posts and the administration’s responses visible to the student community. Task force on student well-being: A standing task force comprising students, faculty, mental-health professionals and external experts to study student distress, recommend preventive measures and publish a semester-wise report for IIT Bombay residents. No action against protesters: Students have demanded that no disciplinary, hostel, financial or legal action, or indirect penalty, be taken against students participating in the protest. They have sought a written assurance on this point. The Mumbai Police has transferred the case to the Crime Branch, while an FIR was registered against Doolla following a complaint by Wakode’s father. Download the TOI App.
The 18-point charter seeks action against Prof Suryanarayana Doolla, the professor and invigilator involved in the examination incident preceding Wakode’s death. Students want it held before September 22. Accountability for implementation: The Director, Dean AP and Dean SA should resign if demands 5 to 14 are not implemented within a month.
an institute official said discussions would continue and “due process will be followed” While students said the administration had accepted their demands. The signing came after three days of protests on the Powai campus. Students have demanded his immediate suspension and removal of any other stakeholders found guilty after an investigation. Action against stakeholders: Immediate suspension of Prof Suryanarayana Doolla and removal of any stakeholder found guilty after the investigation. Apology for defamation: A public apology from IIT Bombay over what students called the defamation of Sahil through details in the institute’s LinkedIn post. Open house with stakeholders: An open house involving the Director, Dean SA, Dean AP and Sahil’s department HOD, allowing students to directly raise concerns and questions. Students have also sought weekly progress updates.
The institute’s Board of Governors is scheduled to meet on Monday, while an open house with students is also expected.