Third IIT Bombay suicide this year puts student pressure under spotlight

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A Dalit B.Tech student at the Department of Energy Sciences and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B) died by suicide on Friday, September 18, in what is the third such suicide this year at the campus.

19-year-old Sahil Wakode from Maharashtra’s Yavatmal district was accused of using his phone to cheat in the midterm exam conducted on Friday. He was found unresponsive in his room at Hostel No. 4 on the campus by hostelmates later in the evening.

The campus has since erupted in demonstrations by students, with an impromptu protest occurring upon the discovery of the body and carrying on through the night. A protest call was given on the morning of September 19, and students assembled at the site in the face of police barricades.

Sahil’s parents reached the campus on September 19, demanding a CID probe into their son's death and alleging caste-based discrimination at the institution as having played a major role. “My son has been tortured. I will file a complaint. I need justice for my child,” his mother told reporters.

Later in the day, the Mumbai police registered an FIR in the death of Sahil. The complaint names Prof Suryanarayana Doolla – an IIT-B faculty member and the invigilator who called out Sahil for cheating in the exams – as an accused along with others on charges of abetment of suicide. The police have also applied the Prevention of Atrocities Act after Sahil’s father made a complaint that his son had been subjected to casteist slurs.

IIT-B released a statement saying that Sahil was reassured by the Head of the Department that no severe action would be taken against him and that no undue pressure was placed on the student.

“No disciplinary action was initiated against the student. The matter was also discussed with the student by the instructor and the Head of the Department, who counselled him and assured him that the incident would not adversely affect his academic career,” the statement said.

However, students and classmates grieving Sahil’s death told a different story.

Immense pressure

“IITs across the country foster this culture where asking about categories is not allowed or accepted, but upon finding out that a peer is from a lowered caste, social exclusion, ostracisation, and discrimination all take place,” said Saket*, a B.Tech student. “This culture is even more intense in the B.Tech courses.”

Several students told TNM about the mounting academic pressure they face during midterm exams, which take place at this time of year, painting a picture of a culture defined by stress.

“In our course at this point we are essentially at the mercy of our professors,” says Amitesh*. “There's a deluge of assignments and submissions, and we have a lot of deliverables to present day in and day out. The stress is immeasurable.”

Students also alleged that the administration supported the pressure wrought on students. “Invigilators and deans are told to be more strict and encouraged to make examples of students who cheat or cannot perform. This culture of intimidation is approved of by both the administration and the industry. That is why it thrives.”

The Ambedkar Periyar Phule Study Circle on campus released a statement challenging the official version of events. “Several media reports have alleged that the student was apprehended for using a mobile phone and ChatGPT to upload the question paper. The exact act of this is not yet fully known,” read the statement.

On the institution's claim that no pressure was placed on Sahil, they said, “We must correct those reports which have been claiming that the administration had decided against any punitive action. Such a claim is wrongly reported.”

They demanded an independent investigation into the case, saying that Sahil was threatened with an investigation by the Disciplinary Action Committee, a body which has no student representatives and which could have imposed a suspension of one year.

Labelling the suicides this year as “institutional murder”, the statement further recommended an investigation into ‘the professor involved’, Suryanarayana Doolla.

Students and eyewitnesses alleged that Doolla’s behaviour during the confrontation was rude and meant to shame Sahil in front of his classmates and peers.

“The administration must also consider that Sahil was a Dalit. A threat like suspension or expulsion is much more terrifying for him, knowing he did not have the social capital others did. Who knows what kind of pressure he was facing?” said Akash*, who was present for the very same exam.

“We all face that pressure and stress, but because of the culture here, we are also all isolated from one another. Talking about your stress is like a sign of weakness,” said Suresh*, another B.Tech student at the institute.

Investigations are underway as classmates of the deceased have been taken to Powai Police Station. Protests continue on campus, demanding the resignation of IIT-B Director Shireesh Kedare and action against Professor Doolla.

*Names have been changed to protect their identity.