The death by suicide of Sahil Wakode cannot be viewed in isolation, alumni of Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay (IITB) said on Sunday (September 27, 2026). The incident pointed to a deeper problem within the academic environment, they said. In a letter written to the Director of the institute, a group of alumni have also expressed concerns over the increasingly “militarised campus” during exams. Calling for immediate, comprehensive reforms, they sought a survey of the students’ mental health and a humane approach to deal with instances of misconduct.
In the three-page letter, the alumni expressed deep anguish about a series of deaths by suicide at the institute. The 10 demands put forth by the past students include a call for an immediate and impartial investigation into specific allegations of caste-based harassment and improved mental health support, including diverse counselling and mandatory faculty sensitisation.
“We sincerely hope that the institute will take concrete steps to ensure that the academic climate at IITB is egalitarian, humane and conducive to intellectual growth. This requires addressing the caste, class and gender-based inequalities, as well as other forms of exclusion, that are deeply embedded in our society and can manifest within academic institutions,” the letter, accessed by The Hindu, stated.
Wakode, 20, a second year B.Tech. student at IIT Bombay, allegedly died by suicide on September 18, 2026. His parents have alleged caste discrimination against him. An internal probe by the IIT, and a criminal probe by the Mumbai Crime Branch are underway.
“In the last one year alone, there have been four student suicides at IIT Bombay. In the last three years, two of the students who died—Sahil Wakode and Darshan Solanki—belonged to the Dalit community. The wider picture across the IITs is equally concerning,” the letter stated.
It cited media reports that alleged 45 suicides had been reported across 23 IITs over the past five years. There was a disproportionate representation of Schedule Castes (SC)/Scheduled Tribes (ST) students and female students among those who died by suicides in India’s premier institutes over the last few years, they said. “These figures point to a deeper problem: the compounding effects of performance pressure on students coupled with deep rooted caste/class/gender situations, and their alienation from a creative, inquisitive and, enjoyable academic life,” the former students said.
‘Militarised campus’
The alumni expressed strong reservations about a change in the academic culture of the institute in the last few years. “In recent times, the campus has increasingly resembled a militarised zone, with the deployment of police and other security forces during examinations. Students are being frisked by private security personnel before entering examination halls. This was not part of the academic culture during our time at IITB, and such measures fundamentally alter the character of an academic institution,” they said.
The alumni have demanded a comprehensive survey of students’ mental health, including an assessment of the impact of supervisors and teachers, ensuring this accounted for the gender, caste, religious, and linguistic diversity of the student community. They have also urged that the institute’s medical unit should be adequately staffed with diverse counsellors and therapists, including those from LGBTQ+ and SC/ST/OBC (Other Backward Classes) communities, to create safe spaces for marginalised students, and improve the quality of mental health support with empathy and dignity.
Faculty sensitisation
The letter called for compulsory and regular sensitisation programmes for faculty members on mental health issues, and the specific challenges faced by students from marginalised backgrounds. “This sensitisation must extend beyond mere discrimination prevention to actively cultivating an understanding and response to student needs,” the letter stated. An improvement in the current 1:18 teacher-student ratio has also been suggested.
The alumni demanded an impartial investigation into allegations of caste-based harassment faced by Wakode, and a fair inquiry into allegations against the concerned teacher. They welcomed the institute’s decision to suspend the Dean of Academic Affairs pending investigation. They also demanded complete institutional support for Wakode’s family through the investigation and legal proceedings, especially given the loss of their only son.
The letter has demanded that protesting students should not be criminalised. “We call upon the Institute to maintain a healthy academic environment during this difficult period. The IITB administration must listen to the genuine grievances of the protesting students and address their demands through a peaceful, transparent and democratic process, without the use of force or coercive measures,” the alumni said.
The said letter has been signed by 79 past students of IIT Bombay. It was sent to the Director by email on Sunday night. Despite repeated attempts, the institute’s Public Relations Officer did not provide a response to queries about the letter.
This article contains references to suicide and mental health issues. Those in distress may contact Sanjivini, Society for Mental Health suicide prevention helpline: 011-40769002.
Published – September 27, 2026 11:48 pm IST
