Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad, NSUI activists detained outside IIT Bombay

Police on Thursday detained Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad, dozens of other party workers and NSUI activists gathered outside IIT Bombay to express solidarity with the family of student Sahil Wakode, who allegedly died by suicide, an official said. Speaking to reporters during the protest, Gaikwad accused the ruling establishment of harming the education system and termed the incident an "institutional murder."

She demanded a comprehensive probe into the circumstances surrounding Wakode's death. Students face humiliation and difficulties, especially if they belong to a particular caste or religion, the Mumbai Congress chief claimed. "This is not the first incident at IIT. We want accountability," she said and accused the RSS of "infiltrating" higher education institutions.

"The BJP and RSS have damaged the education system, and such incidents are happening repeatedly," Gaikwad charged. Wakode (22), a second-year BTech student at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, was found hanging in his hostel room on September 18 evening, hours after being caught allegedly using a mobile phone to access ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination. His parents have alleged caste-based discrimination and harassment, while the institute has disputed the charges.

Hunger strike, call with Rahul Gandhi

Gaikwad, other Congress workers and members of the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), the party's students' wing, gathered outside the institute's Powai campus on Thursday to stage a protest. Police detained Congress workers before their protest could begin outside the institute's Powai campus and later also took Gaikwad into custody when she reached the spot. The parliamentarian and several other activists, including women workers, were rounded up and taken to the local police station for further legal action, a police official said. During the protest, Gaikwad extended support to Wakode's family and demanded a thorough probe into his death. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has spoken to Wakode's parents and assured support in their fight for justice, she said.

Gandhi made a video call to Wakode's parents when they were on their way to Mumbai from Washim district, the sources told PTI. In the almost 17-minute call, Gandhi assured Sahil's parents that he was with them and assured them all help, they said. "Congress stands firmly with the family members of the deceased student, and Rahul Gandhi has assured them of all possible support," Gaikwad stated. "The case is with the Crime Branch. There should be a proper investigation, and the family needs justice," Gaikwad said. She alleged that students face humiliation and difficulties because of their caste or religion, and said the issue needed to be examined as an institutional matter. "I feel this is institutional. Children are humiliated and made to suffer, particularly if they come from a particular religion or caste," she claimed. Heavy security was deployed outside the institute's gate to prevent any untoward situation. Senior officers, including Deputy Commissioner of Police Datta Nalawade and local Assistant Commissioners of Police, were present at the spot to review the situation.