IIT Bombay to hold open house session today amid protests over student suicide

IIT Bombay has scheduled an Open House for students at 5 pm today. The administration had asked students to submit questions through a form before the session.

In Short

• Dean of Student Affairs emailed students at 4:09 pm inviting queries
• Students must use a Google Form to submit concerns beforehand
• Submitted questions will be addressed during the session in a moderated format

IIT Bombay has planned to hold an Open House today amid continuing student protests following the death by suicide of second-year student Sahil Wakode.

The session was scheduled to be held at the Convocation Hall at 5 pm. This comes after three days of protests on the Powai campus. Students had raised an 18-point charter of demands following Wakode’s death and sought an Open House with the institute’s senior officials.

Wakode, a second-year BTech student in the Energy Science and Engineering department, died by suicide on September 18, hours after he was allegedly found using a mobile phone during a mid-semester examination. His death led to protests by students, who sought an independent investigation and raised concerns about the institute’s handling of the incident.

His family has alleged harassment and caste-based discrimination, while IIT Bombay has denied the allegations. The matter is currently under investigation.

On September 20, IIT Bombay Director Professor Shireesh Kedare signed an 18-point charter submitted by the protesting students.

On Monday, IIT Bombay suspended Professor Suryanarayana Doolla from his position as Dean. Doolla was the invigilator during the examination in which Wakode was allegedly found using a mobile phone. Students had specifically sought action against him as part of their 18-point charter.

IIT BOMBAY STUDENTS GET OPEN HOUSE INVITE

In an email sent to students by the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs today, the institute confirmed that the Open House will take place at 5 pm.

The email said, “The session will provide the IIT Bombay community with an opportunity to raise questions and seek clarification on matters concerning the student community.”

Students have been asked to submit their questions through a form before the session. The administration said this was being done to ensure that the discussion remained orderly and productive.

QUESTIONS TO BE TAKEN UP IN MODERATED SESSION

The administration said questions received through the form would be taken up during the Open House and addressed in a moderated manner.

It also asked students to keep their questions relevant to the purpose of the session and said, “all communication remains respectful and appropriate.”

The Open House is expected to give students an opportunity to seek clarification from the administration on the issues raised during the protests and the 18-point charter.

The session comes as the police investigation into Wakode’s death continues. IIT Bombay has also apologised for its earlier communication about the circumstances preceding his death, saying those details remain under investigation.

- Ends