JNUSU backs Sahil Wakode’s parents, IIT Bombay students’ hunger strike; demands immediate justice

The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) has expressed solidarity with the hunger strike by the parents of Sahil Wakode and protesting students of the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. The students’ union also demanded immediate justice. Ravindra and Sonali Wakode, the parents of Sahil Wakode, have been protesting since September 24, demanding the arrest of two IIT Bombay officials whom they hold responsible for Sahil’s death. Sahil Wakode, a student at IIT Bombay, committed suicide on September 18.

JNUSU said the protesting IIT Bombay students turned their protest into a hunger strike on October 2. The students have pointed out that even the incomplete set of demands that were signed by the director was not met, according to the students’ union.

The statement reads, "The protesting students have pointed out that even the incomplete set of demands that were hastily signed by the director was not met in the slightest. The promised suspension of Prof. Doolla was diluted into suspension from the Deanship. The promised open house for students was turned into a mockery of students' sentiments by an open endorsement of solidarity to Prof. Doolla by many professors and the director himself. And no weekly updates have been dispatched so far as promised."

The statement further reads, "As the administration has backed out at every turn from genuinely engaging students in dialogue. The students have been forced into a hunger strike and reiterate all their previous demands, which include an independent, transparent investigation into Mr Wakode's death; changes in the inquiry committee appointed by the institute; the resignation of IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare; and the suspension of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, whom Mr. Wakode's parents have accused of caste-based discrimination."

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No weekly updates provided so far: JNUSU

The students alleged that the promised suspension of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla was diluted into a suspension from the deanship. They also said the promised open house for students was turned into a mockery of their sentiments through an open endorsement of solidarity with Doolla by several professors and the director.

JNUSU said the students have also pointed out that no weekly updates have been provided so far, despite being promised. The students have alleged that the administration backed out at every turn from genuinely engaging with them in dialogue.

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According to JNUSU, the students have reiterated their previous demands, including an independent and transparent investigation into Sahil Wakode’s death, changes to the inquiry committee appointed by IIT Bombay, the resignation of IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare and the suspension of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla.

JNUSU said Sahil Wakode’s parents have accused Doolla of caste-based discrimination.

Meanwhile, Sahil Wakode’s parents were not given permission to continue their protest at Azad Maidan over the weekend, according to JNUSU. They tried to meet the protesting students on the IIT Bombay campus but did not go after no formal permission was extended by the institute. The protesting students are also demanding that Sahil’s parents be allowed to access the IIT Bombay campus, student union said. “JNUSU stands in complete solidarity with the parents and students and demand immediate justice,” the students’ union said.