DICCI urges IIT Bombay to adopt IIM Jammu's 'student wellbeing model' after Sahil Wakode's suicide

The Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) has urged the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay to strengthen its student mental health support, introduce a quarterly student well-being index and ensure effective grievance redressal following the suicide of student Sahil Wakode.

In a representation dated October 22, 2026, addressed to the IIT Bombay director, the DICCI Education Council sought a fair, transparent and timely inquiry into Wakode's death. It also called on the institute to address students' concerns, particularly those relating to caste-based discrimination, harassment and social exclusion.

The chamber proposed that IIT Bombay consider adopting elements of the student well-being framework at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu. The suggestions include regular psychological assessments, year-wise mental health check-ups, a three-level alert system and an accessible counselling centre.

The representation said IIT Bombay should review its existing student support mechanisms to ensure that every student feels safe, respected, heard and supported.

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DICCI suggests IIM Jammu's welfare model

The DICCI said the IIM Jammu framework could offer useful measures for identifying students experiencing emotional distress and providing timely assistance.

Milind Kamble, founder chairman of DICCI, is also the chairman of the Board of Governors of IIM Jammu. The chamber said the institute's diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and centre for happiness – Anandam could provide a model for strengthening student support at IIT Bombay.

The proposed framework includes weekly assessments and monitoring by clinical psychologists to identify concerns early. It also recommends well-being check-ups based on students' academic years:

• First-year students: Monthly well-being check-ups.
• Second-year students: Check-ups every two months.
• Third-year students: Quarterly check-ups.
• Fourth-year students: Check-ups every six months.

Additional assessments would be conducted whenever required, irrespective of the scheduled cycle.

The chamber also proposed a three-level alert mechanism to guide interventions:

• Green alert: Student well-being is satisfactory, with routine support continuing.
• Yellow alert: Enhanced monitoring and additional support until the student's condition improves.
• Red alert: Immediate intervention through a defined emergency response protocol.

Under the proposed red alert standard operating procedure (SOP), a designated buddy or mentor would contact the student, followed by escalation to the concerned faculty member and head of department. 

Counselling, medical assistance and hospitalisation would be arranged wherever clinically necessary. The institute director and parents would also be informed in accordance with the established protocol and applicable safeguards.

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DICCI seeks student well-being index at IIT Bombay

The chamber has also recommended that IIT Bombay introduce a Quarterly Student Well-being Index or a similar institutional report to assess students' mental health, identify emerging concerns and evaluate the effectiveness of support services.

According to the representation, the findings could first be presented to the institute's Board of Governors before being published on its website. DICCI said the assessment should use appropriate methods, protect students' privacy and rely on aggregated information to support institutional improvements.

It also suggested establishing an accessible Centre for Happiness where students could seek professional help for anxiety, emotional distress, academic pressure and personal difficulties without stigma or fear of judgement.

DICCI seeks stronger caste grievance redressal

The DICCI Education Council called for impartial, confidential and effective grievance redressal mechanisms to address complaints of caste-based discrimination, harassment, social exclusion and humiliation.

It urged IIT Bombay to ensure that complaints are acknowledged and examined promptly, students can approach designated authorities without fear of retaliation, and grievance procedures and escalation channels are clearly communicated.

The chamber also recommended strengthening mentoring, counselling and referral mechanisms for students facing academic pressure, financial difficulties, loneliness and family-related challenges.

It said student support systems should focus on early intervention, continuity of care and timely assistance while respecting students' dignity and confidentiality.

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DICCI seeks meeting with IIT Bombay 

The chamber appealed to the institute and other stakeholders to maintain peace, respect peaceful expression and allow the inquiry into Wakode's death to proceed fairly and transparently.

It also urged IIT Bombay to maintain open communication with students and address their concerns through established mechanisms. The representation stressed that the pursuit of justice and continuity of education should go together, and that prolonged campus disruptions should not affect the academic future of students, particularly those from Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities.

"A meaningful tribute to Sahil Wakode would be to pursue justice, listen to students and strengthen systems that protect every student's life, dignity and educational future," the representation stated.

DICCI also requested a meeting with the IIT Bombay director and relevant institute officials to discuss its recommendations and explore ways to strengthen student welfare, inclusion and grievance redressal.

The representation was signed by DICCI National President Ravi Kumar Narra, Education Council Chair Rajesh Paswan, Founder Chairman Milind Kamble, Advisor Ashok Khade, National Vice President Sanjiv Dangi and other office-bearers.

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IITs report 1,495 vacant reserved faculty posts

The DICCI recommendations come amid wider concerns over faculty representation and student support across premier technical institutions.

Data obtained through Right to Information (RTI) applications from seven IITs showed that 1,495 faculty positions reserved for SC, ST and Other Backward Classes (OBC) candidates remained vacant. IIT Kharagpur reported the highest number, with 710 vacant posts, followed by IIT Roorkee with 236 and IIT (BHU) Varanasi with 201. 

The RTI responses also highlighted differences in mental health counselling facilities. IIT (BHU) Varanasi reported two professional counsellors for 9,500 students, while IIT Kharagpur had 12 regular counsellors and one psychiatrist on contract for 14,764 students. The data also pointed to gaps in institutional mechanisms for addressing caste-based discrimination.