IIT Bombay student begin hunger strike demanding accountability over student Sahil Wakode’s death
Students at IIT Bombay have launched a hunger strike to demand accountability for the death of student Sahil Wakode, who allegedly faced caste-based discrimination. The protesters are calling for an independent investigation and the resignation of the institute's director.
Why it matters
The incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding institutional accountability and caste-based discrimination within elite Indian educational institutions.
A group of IIT Bombay students protesting the death of second-year student Sahil Wakode began a hunger strike on Friday (October 2, 2026), demanding accountability from the institute administration and the resignation of its director.
The students, who have been protesting for the past 15 days, decided to intensify their agitation after Mr. Wakode's parents, who are on a hunger strike at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, were denied permission by the police to continue their protest on weekends.
Mr. Wakode was found dead in his hostel room at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay on September 18, 2026. His family has alleged he had faced caste-based discrimination at the institute.
The protesting students marched towards the main gate on Friday and presented an 18-point charter of demands to the administration.
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