IIT-Bombay student's death sparks caste abuse allegations against faculty

The family of Sahil Wakode, a student at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, has alleged that he endured casteist abuse and harassment on campus, triggering calls for institutional action and investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

According to the student's parents, when they met with him earlier this month, he disclosed that he was being subjected to "torture" and had been targeted with casteist slurs. The revelations have prompted the family to demand the arrest of a faculty member they hold responsible for the alleged mistreatment.

The allegations come at a time of heightened scrutiny over instances of caste-based discrimination within India's educational institutions. IIT-Bombay, one of the nation's premier engineering colleges, has faced previous complaints regarding institutional culture and student welfare measures.

The student's death has triggered widespread concern among parents and student groups, with many questioning the institution's mechanisms for addressing complaints related to discrimination. The family has sought immediate intervention from authorities to investigate the circumstances and hold accountable those responsible for the alleged abuse.

IIT-Bombay authorities have not yet issued a public statement responding to the family's allegations. The matter is expected to attract significant scrutiny from educational oversight bodies and civil rights organizations monitoring instances of discrimination in higher education institutions across India.