NEW DELHI: Student representatives at IIT Bombay have issued an official statement following the death of student Sahil Wakode, saying they do not condone cheating or any form of academic misconduct, while calling for reforms to address systemic concerns within the institute.“We do not stand for or condone cheating or any form of academic misconduct. At the same time, the loss of our fellow student, Sahil, is a deeply tragic event that has compelled us to reflect on the systems and processes within our Institute,” the representatives said.They said the protest launched by students was not intended to justify academic misconduct, but was a collective effort to raise concerns over issues that had existed within the institute for some time and seek “meaningful and strong institutional reforms” to prevent similar circumstances in the future.The representatives also welcomed the open house held with the institute’s Director and other members of the administration on Sunday, saying it gave students an opportunity to directly raise their concerns and questions.Back fair probe into Professor DoollaOn Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, the students clarified that they had never presumed his guilt or sought to prejudge the ongoing investigation.“We stand with Professor Doolla as a member of our faculty community and believe that the investigation must be allowed to proceed fairly and impartially,” they said.The students said their demand was for Doolla to be relieved of his administrative responsibilities as Dean of Administrative Affairs while the investigation is underway. They described this as a precautionary measure intended to ensure that the probe remains independent and cannot be influenced in any manner.
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“The findings and appropriate action should follow from the established investigative process,” the representatives said.Oppose external political influenceThe student representatives said concerns arising from Sahil’s death should remain student-led and be addressed within the institute.“The loss of Sahil should not become a platform for external political interests, organisations, or narratives to shape the concerns of the IIT Bombay student community,” they said.They added that the demands had emerged from students’ experiences and concerns on campus, and that the reform process should remain rooted in the student community and the institute.
