The parents of Sahil Wakode, a second-year student at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay who was found dead on Saturday, have appealed to fellow students of the institute to join them in an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan in Mumbai from Monday. The family has alleged that caste-based discrimination and harassment at the premier institute drove their son to take the extreme step.

Father's Appeal to IIT Students

In a video message, Sahil's father Ravindra Wakode directly addressed IIT Bombay students, urging them to join the protest in large numbers. 'People are spreading misinformation about you (students) and us that Sahil's parents are not doing anything (to ensure justice for him). My child is no more, but you have a future ahead. Join us in the hunger strike in as many numbers as possible,' he said.

Wakode also cautioned students against being swayed by unverified theories circulating about the police and others involved in the case. 'It is important to know the truth. Please don't give up this fight and maintain the strike,' he urged. He also appealed to students to preserve any evidence in their possession. 'Please safeguard any evidence that you might have. I will need it during the legal proceedings,' he said.

Police Access Denied, Father Claims

Ravindra Wakode alleged in the video that Mumbai Police have repeatedly prevented him from entering the Powai campus. 'I have tried two-three times to enter,' he said. With protests barred inside the campus, he confirmed the hunger strike would shift to Azad Maidan, for which he said he had received the necessary permission. 'We will keep fighting until my son gets justice, even if that means giving my life for it,' he asserted.

Parents Reportedly Detained

The situation escalated on Thursday when Sahil's parents were reportedly detained by Mumbai Police in Bhandup while allegedly on their way to the IIT Bombay campus in Powai, according to their lawyer Nikhil Kamble. The alleged detention drew sharp criticism from activists and social justice advocates who have been following the case closely.

Minister Flags SC Student Suicides at IIT Bombay

A day before the reported detention, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment and Republican Party of India (Athawale) chief Ramdas Athawale visited the IIT Powai campus and raised concerns about the growing number of student suicides at the prestigious institution. He questioned whether efforts were being made to 'humiliate' Scheduled Caste students, potentially pushing them toward extreme steps. His remarks have added political weight to the family's demand for an independent investigation.

Broader Context and What Comes Next

Sahil Wakode's death is not an isolated case — student deaths at IITs, particularly among those from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities, have drawn sustained scrutiny from civil society groups and parliamentary committees in recent years. Critics argue that institutional accountability at elite technical institutes remains inadequate. The family's decision to shift the protest to a public ground after being denied campus access underscores the tensions between aggrieved families, educational institutions, and law enforcement. All eyes will now be on whether IIT Bombay administration responds to the family's demands and how the police investigation proceeds in the coming days.