Parents Continue Hunger Strike, Claim IIT Bombay Student Was Murdered
A month after their son Sahil Wakode's death, his parents Ravindra and Sonali Wakode are on an indefinite hunger strike in Mumbai, insisting he was murdered and demanding arrests.
On 18 September 2026, IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode died by suicide hours after being found using a mobile phone in a mid-semester exam, prompting the institute to offer counselling. His parents, Ravindra and Sonali Wakode, contend that he faced caste-based slurs and mental pressure from faculty, particularly Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, and label his death as murder. They filed a complaint that led to an FIR and a Mumbai Crime Branch investigation, which they describe as sluggish.
Fifteen days into an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan, the parents demanded the arrest of those they accuse and expressed gratitude to supporters. They also plan to return to IIT Bombay on the one-month anniversary of Sahil's death to pay respects.
Why it matters
The protest highlights concerns over student welfare, alleged caste discrimination, and accountability in Indian higher education.
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