I stand with Professor Doolla: Congress's Shama Mohamed on IIT-B student suicide row

Congress leader Shama Mohamed expressed solidarity with IIT-Bombay professor Suryanarayana Doolla, who was removed as dean in the wake of a student's suicide that triggered massive protests, saying that “our generation was mentally strong."

She, however, later issued a clarification, saying she had not made any statement against Dalits and that her comments were only about an invigilator’s right to admonish a student caught cheating.

“In this suicide, I stand with Professor Doolla. If a student is caught cheating, it is normal to admonish him & ask him to leave the room. If the student was harassed due to his caste, he should have complained to the SC/ST department,” Mohamed said.

“When we were kids, we were admonished by teachers and parents for our wrongdoings, but our generation was mentally strong,” she added.

Mohamed also said colleges should have mental health therapists “for the wellbeing of the students."

Her remarks drew criticism, following which the Congress leader issued a clarification.

“I have not said a word against Dalits- I have only said that when any child is caught cheating, it is the right of the invigilator to admonish him. We can't allow students to copy in an exam,” she said.

Mohamed reiterated that students facing casteist slurs should complain to the relevant SC/ST departments.

“Please don't abuse people who stand with Dalits, instead tackle the real issue,” she said.

CONGRESS WORKERS DEMAND JUSTICE

Meanwhile, Congress and Youth Congress workers staged a protest outside IIT Bombay in Mumbai over the death by suicide of Sahil Wakode. Protesters sat on the road and demanded action in the case, prompting Mumbai Police to detain several demonstrators.

Security was subsequently strengthened outside the institute’s main gate as students and Congress workers gathered to protest.

The demonstration comes amid demands for action following Wakode’s death. Police personnel were deployed outside the campus to maintain law and order and prevent any further disruption.

STUDENTS DEMAND DIRECTOR'S RESIGNATION

Sahil Wakode, 22, a second-year BTech student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, was found hanging from the ceiling fan in his hostel room hours after he was allegedly caught using a mobile phone and ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination.

According to an IIT-Bombay statement, Wakode was subsequently counselled and allowed to leave without any disciplinary action. The institute said he died by suicide on September 18, hours after the examination.

Wakode's family alleged that he had faced institutional harassment and caste-based discrimination before his death. Student protesters also claimed that he faced severe pressure and threats of academic suspension.

Doolla, who was invigilating the examination, had reported the examination malpractice to higher authorities.

Following a complaint by Wakode's parents, police registered an FIR and Doolla was named as an accused in the case.

After three days of student protests, Doolla was removed as dean, an action that came after IIT-B Director Professor Shireesh Kedare signed an 18-point charter of demands submitted by the protesting students.

The students' charter also seeks an independent investigation, a time-bound report, an open house with senior administrators and an apology over what they described as the public defamation of the student.

Also on Monday, IIT-B issued an apology over its earlier communication regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of a student, saying that details about the events leading up to the incident remain under investigation by the authorities.

It also informed that the director, Prof Shireesh Kedare, has not resigned.