The parents of an Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay student, who died by suicide last month, were detained during a protest on campus. The family had submitted a letter to the registrar, alleging caste-based discrimination at the institute.
On Sunday, the parents of Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay (IIT-B) student Sahil Wakode, who died by suicide on September 18, were detained by Mumbai Police during a protest inside the campus. The family had arrived at the campus to pay homage to their son and submit a letter to the registrar.
Ravindra Wakode, the father of the deceased student, alleged that he was also physically harassed by the police during the detention. According to Ravindra, the police kicked him, choked him, and tore his clothes.
At least 16 protesting students were also detained as the police cleared and demolished a site near the institute's main gate, according to reports from The Indian Express and Daily Pioneer. Student groups have accused the police of using excessive force during the detentions.
Students have been protesting near the IIT-B gates in Powai for about a month, demanding accountability over Wakode's death. According to reports, the family has alleged that Wakode faced caste-based discrimination at the institute.
Police have registered a case against Professor Suryanarayan Doolla and unidentified others on charges of abetment to suicide and under provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Schedules Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act. According to reports, IIT-Bombay claimed that during an examination on September 18, Wakode was found using a mobile phone and uploading the question paper on artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT to seek answers. Doolla was reportedly the invigilator at the time. However, the institute claimed no disciplinary action was taken against Wakode.
Source:
Scroll.in
