IIT-Bombay Suicide: Parents Refuse to Take Son’s Body; Crime Branch to Probe Case

The recent suicide of 20-year-old Sahil Wakode, an IIT-Bombay student, has exposed the deep-seated caste prejudices that still plague India’s premier institutions. This incident is not isolated; it is part of a string of suicides at the campus this year. Although the Mumbai Police’s crime branch has taken over the probe, the institution’s handling of the situation has been woefully inadequate.

The parents’ refusal to take their son’s body from the post-mortem centre for over seven hours reflects their sense of betrayal and outrage towards the institution. Ravindra Wakode stated, “I will not conduct the final rites of my son till the accused persons are arrested,” highlighting the depth of his anguish and determination to seek justice. Their decision is a protest against institutional silence that enabled harassment to continue.

The application of provisions under the Prevention of Atrocities Act by the police suggests that casteist slurs were indeed made against Sahil Wakode, which is not surprising given the prevalence of such incidents in Indian universities and workplaces. However, what’s disturbing is that these incidents often go unreported or are swept under the rug due to fear of backlash from powerful individuals or groups.

IIT-Bombay has a responsibility to create an environment where students feel safe and supported. Instead, it has allowed a culture of impunity to thrive, where caste-based harassment is met with indifference or even victim-blaming. The police had to be called in to take over the probe, which speaks volumes about the lack of trust between the institution and its students.

The incident raises questions about the effectiveness of India’s anti-caste laws. While the Prevention of Atrocities Act was enacted to protect marginalized communities from harassment, its implementation has been patchy at best. The police had to apply provisions under this act, indicating they were not aware of the gravity of the situation or did not know how to handle it.

As the probe continues, it’s essential to examine the systemic failures that led to Sahil Wakode’s death. What role did the institution play in enabling or exacerbating harassment? Were there any attempts made to address the issue before it escalated?

The incident is also a stark reminder of the need for greater accountability in Indian institutions. When students commit suicide due to harassment or bullying, these incidents are rarely isolated; they’re often symptoms of deeper structural issues within the institution.

Institutional silence on such matters can have dire consequences. These incidents can snowball into larger movements, with students demanding justice and accountability from their institutions. The government has taken notice, with several ministers issuing statements condemning the incident and vowing to take action.

However, words are cheap; it’s the actions that follow that will truly matter. Will IIT-Bombay take concrete steps to address caste-based harassment on its campus? Will the institution implement measures to create a safe and inclusive environment for students from marginalized communities?

The Wakode family’s demand for justice remains unfulfilled. As they continue to fight for accountability, it is essential that we support them in their quest for truth and justice. The least we can do is acknowledge the gravity of this incident and its implications for India’s institutions and society as a whole.