IIT Bombay Tragedy: Parents Allege Caste Abuse Led to Student's Death
IIT Bombay Tragedy: Parents Allege Caste Abuse Led to Student's Death
Heartbreaking allegations surface after an IIT Bombay student's death. His parents claim he faced caste-based harassment and humiliation from professors. Get the full story.
A pall of grief and controversy hangs over IIT Bombay following the tragic death of a bright second-year student. His distraught parents have come forward with grave allegations, claiming their son, Sahil Wokade, was subjected to severe caste-based discrimination and humiliation by professors, which ultimately led him to take his own life.
According to Sahil's father, his son was repeatedly tormented by Professor Doolla, allegedly acting under the direction of Professor Kedare. These professors are accused of taunting Sahil over his caste, threatening him with false disciplinary actions, and creating an unbearable academic environment.
The parents, Ravindra and Sonali Wokade, spoke emotionally about their son's ordeal, recounting how he had confided in them about the caste-based slurs and torture he endured. “He was a bright student.
After securing admission to IIT Bombay and entering his second year, he started facing difficulties.
When he told us that caste-based comments were being made against him and that he was being tortured, we should have brought him home.
He might have been saved,” his mother lamented. The parents expressed deep regret, admitting they initially urged Sahil to persevere, emphasizing the difficulty of gaining admission to IIT Bombay, but now feel they should have taken his complaints more seriously.
The institution itself initially complicated matters by issuing a statement post-suicide, alleging Sahil had been caught using his mobile phone to access ChatGPT during a mid-semester exam. This statement, however, was later retracted with an apology from IIT Bombay, acknowledging it was inappropriate to comment on an ongoing investigation.
Sahil's father challenged the institute on this point, stating,
If the institute is saying that he copied, then they must prove it in the investigation.
The family has reiterated their unwavering faith in the police and the Constitution, urging swift and decisive action against those responsible. Sahil's mother also highlighted a disturbing pattern, noting, “If you look at the history of suicides at IIT Bombay, several students belonged to reserved categories,” suggesting a systemic issue within the premier institute.
The parents' heartbreaking plea for justice underscores a critical need for thorough investigation and accountability.
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