IIT Bombay Students Report Police Violence During Protest
Students at IIT Bombay allege police brutality during a protest against caste discrimination, with claims of inappropriate touching and physical assault.
Students have been protesting for a month following the suicide of Sahil Wakode, demanding accountability and reforms.
Police allegedly used excessive force, with reports of physical assault and inappropriate behavior towards female students.
The IIT administration is under scrutiny for inviting police intervention to disperse the protests.
Students at IIT Bombay faced alleged police brutality on Sunday as they protested against caste discrimination on campus. Reports indicate that police entered the campus and physically assaulted students, with claims from a female student that her clothing was torn and that inappropriate touching occurred. The protests have been ongoing for a month, sparked by the suicide of Sahil Wakode, a Dalit BTech student, who faced alleged discrimination from a faculty member.
The protests demand accountability from the IIT administration regarding Sahil's death and call for measures to combat caste discrimination. Witnesses reported that police kicked students, choked them, and did not spare female protesters from violence. One student, who wished to remain anonymous, described the situation as a clear instance of police brutality, stating, "The institute used the police as it has no answer to the demands of the students."
Sahil's parents have filed a First Information Report (FIR) alleging that he was discriminated against by Professor Suryanarayana Doolla. The police reportedly entered the campus twice on Sunday, first detaining eight students before releasing them, and later returning to forcibly remove protesters. Students claim that the IIT administration called the police to suppress their demands, which include the suspension of Doolla, a transparent inquiry into Sahil's death, and reforms to the mental health support system.
The implications of this incident extend beyond IIT Bombay, raising concerns about the treatment of students and the administration's response to protests. The situation has garnered attention from various student bodies and activists advocating for rights and accountability in educational institutions across India.
Looking ahead, the students plan to continue their protests until their demands are met. The IIT Bombay administration has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the police's presence on campus and the steps being taken to address the issues raised by the students. As the investigation into Sahil's death continues, the students remain resolute in their fight for justice and reform.
