Youth Congress protests outside IIT Bombay over student's suicide, workers detained
Youth Congress led a protest outside IIT Bombay demanding justice for student Sahil Wakode, and police detained several workers
The suicide of Sahil Wakode, a student at IIT Bombay in Mumbai, has taken a political turn. Demanding a thorough investigation into the case and justice for Sahil, the Mumbai Youth Congress held a strong protest outside the IIT Bombay campus. The protest was led by Youth Congress Mumbai president Zeenat Shabreen.
Since Sahil Wakode's death, protests by students have also continued inside the IIT Bombay campus. Students have raised several demands, including fixing institutional accountability and improving mental health and grievance redressal systems. IIT Bombay's administration has discussed the students' 18 demands, and the process is ongoing.
Hundreds of workers took part in the protest led by Zeenat Shabreen, raising slogans demanding justice for Sahil Wakode. Workers also raised slogans such as "Whenever the government is scared, it puts the police in front." During the protest, police detained workers and took them to a police station.
Zeenat Shabreen demanded a fair and transparent investigation into the Sahil Wakode case. She said the Youth Congress fully supports the 18 demands raised by the students.
She also demanded that allegations of caste discrimination at IIT Bombay be investigated. Sahil's family members have also alleged caste discrimination and harassment. However, IIT Bombay had earlier claimed that no such complaint had been filed with the institute. In this context, it is being considered necessary for these allegations to be investigated.
The Youth Congress has demanded strict action against professor Suryanarayan Dulla. Shabreen demanded that he be dismissed from service. Meanwhile, it is reported that a case of abetment to suicide has been registered against Dulla, and IIT Bombay has suspended him from the post of dean. However, a group of university faculty has supported Dulla and demanded a proper investigation into the allegations.
The investigation into the Sahil Wakode case has now been handed over to the Crime Branch of the Mumbai Police. All eyes are on what facts emerge from this investigation and what action follows.
