IIT Bombay student representatives clarify protest after student's death, say agitation was not to justify academic misconduct
Student representatives at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay have clarified that the protest following the tragic death of 22-year-old student Sahil was not intended to defend cheating or any other form of academic misconduct. The representatives said the tragedy instead prompted students to raise concerns about institutional systems and seek reforms aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future.
In a statement, the student representatives said they do not condone cheating or academic misconduct. They said the circumstances surrounding Sahil’s death had led the student community to examine institutional processes and concerns that had existed for some time.
The representatives maintained that the agitation was a collective effort by students to bring these concerns before the institute administration. Their focus, they said, was on accountability, transparency, and institutional reforms rather than on defending violations of academic rules.
The clarification comes days after the student’s death and the protests that followed on the IIT Bombay campus.
Students submit demands to IIT Bombay administration
According to the representatives, students used the past few days to formulate a detailed set of demands addressing the concerns raised during the agitation. The demands were subsequently submitted to the IIT Bombay Director and have been acknowledged and signed by him, the representatives said.
They added that the institute administration has agreed to work towards implementing the demands within the timelines specified by the students.
The student body also welcomed the open house organised with the Director and other members of the institute administration. Students were able to raise their concerns and questions directly during the interaction.
According to the representatives, the Director responded to the issues raised by students and addressed their questions. They appreciated his engagement with the student community and his approach towards examining and addressing the institutional concerns that emerged during the episode.
Student representatives clarify position on Prof Suryanarayanan Doolla
The representatives also addressed their position on Prof. Suryanarayanan Doolla, saying they have not presumed his guilt or sought to prejudge the ongoing investigation.
They expressed solidarity with him as a member of the faculty community and said the investigation should be allowed to proceed fairly and impartially.
The students clarified that their demand was for Doolla to be relieved of his administrative responsibilities as Dean of Administrative Affairs while the investigation was underway. They described this as a precautionary measure intended to safeguard the independence of the investigation.
The representatives said the findings of the investigation and any subsequent action should be based on the established investigative process.
Students want campus concerns to remain student-led
The representatives further said that concerns arising from Sahil’s death should continue to be addressed within the institute and led by students.
They said the tragedy should not become a platform for external political interests, organisations or narratives to influence the concerns of the IIT Bombay student community.
According to the representatives, the demands raised during the agitation were based on students’ experiences and concerns on campus. They said any reform process should therefore remain rooted in the student community and the institute.
Student body calls for accountability and institutional reform
The representatives said students remain united in seeking greater accountability and transparency within the institute. They added that they would continue to raise concerns, represent students and engage constructively with the administration.
The statement said the broader objective was to build a campus that is safer, more accountable and more supportive for students.
The clarification places the student representatives’ stated position on two separate issues: academic misconduct should not be condoned, while concerns about institutional processes arising from the tragedy should be addressed through an independent investigation and meaningful reforms.
In a statement, the student representatives said they do not condone cheating or academic misconduct. They said the circumstances surrounding Sahil’s death had led the student community to examine institutional processes and concerns that had existed for some time.
The representatives maintained that the agitation was a collective effort by students to bring these concerns before the institute administration. Their focus, they said, was on accountability, transparency, and institutional reforms rather than on defending violations of academic rules.
The clarification comes days after the student’s death and the protests that followed on the IIT Bombay campus.
Students submit demands to IIT Bombay administration
According to the representatives, students used the past few days to formulate a detailed set of demands addressing the concerns raised during the agitation. The demands were subsequently submitted to the IIT Bombay Director and have been acknowledged and signed by him, the representatives said.
They added that the institute administration has agreed to work towards implementing the demands within the timelines specified by the students.
The student body also welcomed the open house organised with the Director and other members of the institute administration. Students were able to raise their concerns and questions directly during the interaction.
According to the representatives, the Director responded to the issues raised by students and addressed their questions. They appreciated his engagement with the student community and his approach towards examining and addressing the institutional concerns that emerged during the episode.
Student representatives clarify position on Prof Suryanarayanan Doolla
They expressed solidarity with him as a member of the faculty community and said the investigation should be allowed to proceed fairly and impartially.
The students clarified that their demand was for Doolla to be relieved of his administrative responsibilities as Dean of Administrative Affairs while the investigation was underway. They described this as a precautionary measure intended to safeguard the independence of the investigation.
The representatives said the findings of the investigation and any subsequent action should be based on the established investigative process.
Students want campus concerns to remain student-led
The representatives further said that concerns arising from Sahil’s death should continue to be addressed within the institute and led by students.
They said the tragedy should not become a platform for external political interests, organisations or narratives to influence the concerns of the IIT Bombay student community.
According to the representatives, the demands raised during the agitation were based on students’ experiences and concerns on campus. They said any reform process should therefore remain rooted in the student community and the institute.
Student body calls for accountability and institutional reform
The representatives said students remain united in seeking greater accountability and transparency within the institute. They added that they would continue to raise concerns, represent students and engage constructively with the administration.
The statement said the broader objective was to build a campus that is safer, more accountable and more supportive for students.
The clarification places the student representatives’ stated position on two separate issues: academic misconduct should not be condoned, while concerns about institutional processes arising from the tragedy should be addressed through an independent investigation and meaningful reforms.
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