Wakode’s parents begin hunger strike as IIT Bombay postpones exams

The parents of Sahil Wakode began a hunger strike in Mumbai on Thursday, September 24, demanding action over allegations that their son faced caste discrimination at IIT Bombay. The institute postponed midsemester exams scheduled for September 26-27 to October 10-11 and apologized again for an earlier statement about the circumstances of his death. Ravindra and Sonali Wakode began their protest at Azad Maidan. Ravindra said his son had repeatedly told the family that he faced caste discrimination at the institute, and called for those he considers responsible to be held accountable. The allegations have not been established in the reporting, and the circumstances of Wakode’s death remain under investigation. IIT Bombay said in a statement that it was inappropriate to characterize events preceding Wakode’s death before they had been established through the investigative process. The institute apologized for its earlier communication and said the details remained subject to investigation by the appropriate authorities. Its earlier account had linked his death to an alleged incident involving ChatGPT during an examination. The Mumbai Police Crime Branch is investigating.