Students intensify 14-day campus protest, seek Director Shireesh Kedare’s resignation and suspension of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla pending completion of criminal probe
Mumbai, October 2026 : Students at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) have announced a hunger strike as their protest over the death of 20-year-old student Sahil Wakode entered its 14th day, with demonstrators demanding accountability from the institute administration and changes to its internal systems.
The students have called for the resignation of IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare and demanded that Professor Suryanarayana Doolla be suspended from all responsibilities until the criminal investigation into Sahil’s death is completed.
The development comes amid an ongoing investigation into Sahil’s death and a separate hunger strike by his parents, Ravindra and Sonali Wakode, at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan. The family has demanded the arrest of Professor Doolla and the institute’s Director, alleging that Sahil was subjected to caste-based harassment and pressure before his death. These allegations remain subject to investigation.
Sahil, a second-year BTech student, was found dead in his hostel room on September 18, hours after an incident during a mid-semester examination. His family has alleged that caste-based harassment and institutional pressure contributed to his death. IIT Bombay had initially linked the examination-related incident to alleged malpractice, but later apologised for making public assertions before the investigation into the matter had been completed.
The Mumbai Crime Branch is investigating the case. Police have registered a case of abetment to suicide against Professor Doolla, while two other accused persons remain unidentified in the FIR. Investigators are examining CCTV footage, phone records and other digital evidence as part of the probe. Statements have also been recorded from students, examiners, supervisors and administrative officials.
Following Sahil’s death, hundreds of students gathered on the IIT Bombay campus and marched towards the main gate, demanding action from the administration. The students said Director Kedare addressed the gathering and offered assurances, but maintained that these did not adequately address their concerns.
A key demand of the protesting students is the dissolution of the existing internal investigation committee and its replacement with an independent external panel. They have proposed that the panel should not include any current IIT Bombay employee or student. The students have also suggested that at least two among Bhalchandra Mungekar, P Sainath, Ram Puniyani and Sukhadeo Thorat be included in the proposed panel.
The students are also demanding the immediate suspension of Professor Doolla until the criminal investigation concludes and the resignation of Director Kedare. They have sought arrangements to ensure that Sahil’s parents can safely visit the campus and interact with students and the institute administration.
Their demands extend beyond the case itself and include reforms to the Student Welfare Committee and Disciplinary Action Committee. The students have called for greater transparency in disciplinary proceedings, reforms to the SC/ST Cell and the filling of vacant SC/ST faculty positions.
They have also sought changes in examination scheduling, safer working conditions for campus workers and measures to address gender disparities among workers. Another demand is that no disciplinary or other action should be taken against students participating in the protest at the IIT Bombay main gate during or after the agitation.
The students said the hunger strike was aimed at pressing the institute to address what they describe as institutional failures and accountability concerns. They also said the protest should lead to a broader discussion on student welfare, grievance redressal mechanisms and campus systems.
Meanwhile, Sahil’s parents continue their hunger strike at Azad Maidan, seeking justice and action against those they hold responsible for their son’s death.
The Crime Branch investigation remains underway. The circumstances surrounding Sahil’s death, including the allegations raised by his family and students, have not reached a final determination, and the investigation is expected to establish the sequence of events and individual responsibility.
