Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment and Republican Party of India (Athawale) chief Ramdas Athawale on Friday, 25 September 2026, visited the IIT Bombay campus in Powai, Mumbai, raising serious concerns about the recurring suicides of Scheduled Caste (SC) students at the institution and questioning whether systemic humiliation was driving them to the extreme step. His visit came in the wake of the death of second-year student Sahil Wakode, who reportedly took his own life earlier this month amid allegations of caste-based discrimination and harassment, as claimed by his family.

What Athawale Said on Campus

Speaking to reporters after meeting with the institute's Dean, Athawale flagged that at least four students had died by suicide at IIT Bombay over the past two to three years, with three of the four belonging to the Scheduled Caste community. 'Why are Scheduled Caste students committing suicide? Is there an attempt being made to humiliate them?' he asked, according to his remarks to the press. The minister said he had raised the question of potential discrimination directly with the Dean during their meeting.

The Sahil Wakode Case

According to Athawale, Wakode had secured an all-India rank of approximately 631 in a pool of at least 1.5 million candidates, underlining his academic calibre. He was a second-year student when he allegedly died by suicide on 18 September, reportedly after Prof Suryanarayana Doolla — the examination invigilator — accused him of copying during a semester exam and confiscated his mobile phone. Wakode's parents have alleged caste-based discrimination and harassment as contributing factors, though an official investigation is ongoing.

Key Demands: Suspension and Independent Probe

Athawale called for the immediate suspension of Prof Suryanarayana Doolla, describing the invigilator's conduct as warranting urgent administrative action. He further demanded that a full investigation be conducted independent of the IIT administration to ensure impartiality. 'Strict action must be taken against whoever is responsible — whether professors, the Dean, or anyone else,' he stated. He added that he had attempted to visit Wakode's hostel room but found it locked due to the ongoing police investigation.

Letter to Education Minister Pralhad Joshi

The minister announced he would be writing to Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi and also meeting him in person to press for accountability. 'Why is this happening in an institution like IIT? Extremely bright students come here, securing their ranks among lakhs of candidates,' Athawale said, signalling that the issue would be escalated to the Centre.

Family's Demand for Full CCTV Footage

Athawale noted that Wakode's parents have demanded access to the complete CCTV footage of the examination hall. The family has reportedly claimed that only a partial clip has been shared with the media, and that the available visuals neither clearly identify their son nor establish any wrongdoing conclusively. This comes amid broader questions about transparency in how IIT Bombay is handling the case. With political pressure mounting and a police probe underway, the institution faces growing scrutiny over its treatment of students from marginalised communities.