Former Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT)-Bombay Board of Governors' chairperson Dr Sharad Saraf has appealed to political parties to keep away from the institute’s campus, warning that continued disruptions could jeopardise the academic performance, mental well-being and future prospects of 12,000 students.
The statement comes against the backdrop of a protest at IIT-Bombay on Sunday, marking one month since second-year BTech student Sahil Wakode was found dead on campus. He was allegedly found using ChatGPT during an examination hours before his death.
In a statement, Saraf said the ongoing politicisation of campus developments was affecting the academic atmosphere at IIT-Bombay, with examinations and other academic commitments at stake.
“IIT-Bombay is a globally respected institution, and political interference risks damaging Brand IIT and the career prospects of its students,” he said.
Emphasising the institute’s reputation for technological excellence, academic rigour and innovation, Saraf stated that its academic environment and discipline played an important role in shaping students’ careers and futures.
He said he was deeply concerned about what had happened to Wakode but stressed that steps must be taken to prevent any further unfortunate incident on campus.
“The well-being, safety and academic future of every student must remain paramount,” Saraf said.
Saraf warns of impact on students’ academic future
Saraf said campus disruptions were placing thousands of students under unnecessary stress, potentially affecting their examination performance and future career prospects.
He warned that poor academic performance resulting from circumstances beyond students’ control could have serious consequences for their confidence, mental well-being and future opportunities.
“We must not allow political parties to compromise the future of 12,000 students,” he said, urging stakeholders to take these concerns seriously before the situation deteriorated further.
Saraf appealed to all political parties to exercise restraint and allow students to prepare for and appear in examinations in a peaceful and academically conducive environment.
Issuing a warning over the potential consequences of continued disruption, he said all stakeholders must be prepared to accept responsibility if students’ academic performance and well-being were jeopardised.
“We cannot afford to wait for another tragedy before recognising the harm that prolonged disruption can cause,” he said.
Saraf urged political parties to keep their political activities away from the institute and allow students to focus on education, research and innovation.
“Stop playing with the lives and futures of 12,000 IIT Bombay students. Keep politics away from IIT Bombay. Let our students focus on their education, research and innovation,” he said.
Protest marks one-month anniversary of Sahil Wakode’s death
According to Saraf, Wakode’s parents sought permission to visit the campus at 11 am on Sunday to pay tribute to their son. The institute granted permission for the visit.
The parents also wished to meet the chairperson of the Board of Governors, but the chairperson was unavailable due to ill health, Saraf said.
Before the parents arrived, around seven to eight protesting students allegedly abused and behaved aggressively towards Mumbai Police personnel, leading to their detention, Saraf claimed. Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad gave a press interview outside the institute’s main gate before joining the parents at the protest site.
Saraf further stated that the IIT Bombay director personally approached the parents and offered condolences, but they were unwilling to engage with him. At the insistence of the parents and protesters, the detained students were subsequently brought back to the protest site.
Around 10 to 12 protesting students gathered at the site, along with media personnel and representatives of the Congress MP. For nearly two hours, protesters addressed the media and criticised the police and the institute administration, Saraf said.
The parents’ advocate submitted demands seeking the preservation of CCTV footage and an independent inquiry, according to the account of the day’s events.
Saraf said further detentions took place around 3 pm after protesters allegedly continued their behaviour despite police intervention.
The protest site was eventually cleared, while the students’ belongings were preserved separately, he added.
Saraf reiterated his appeal for restraint, saying students must be allowed to pursue their academic commitments without disruptions that could affect their education and future opportunities.
* This article was originally published here
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