Mumbai Police detained Ambedkarite leaders and civil society members outside IIT Bombay as they demanded a fair investigation into Dalit student Sahil Wakode’s death and allegations of caste discrimination.
Mumbai Police on Wednesday detained Ambedkarite leaders and civil society members who gathered outside IIT Bombay in response to the ‘Chalo IIT Bombay’ call, demanding accountability over the death of second-year BTech student Sahil Wakode.
The civil society members also demanded an impartial investigation into allegations of caste discrimination.
Among those detained were members of the All India Independent Scheduled Castes Association (AIISCA)—Rahul Sonpimple, Deepali Salve and Sambhaji Bhagat.
The protest was organised in solidarity with Wakode’s parents, who have been on a hunger strike for nearly two weeks, demanding a fair investigation into their son’s death.
According to reports, police detained protesters demonstrating outside IIT Bombay following a call by Sahil’s father, Ravindra Wakode. Reports suggest that Ravindra Wakode was also detained; however, Mumbai Police have denied the allegation.
The police, meanwhile, responded with heavy deployment across the campus, restrictions on entry and the detention of people seeking to present their demands to the administration. The protest was also not allowed to proceed.
Meanwhile, the Mumbai Crime Branch, which is investigating Wakode’s death, has recorded statements from more than 40 people.
The 22-year-old second-year BTech student was found dead in his hostel room on the evening of September 18.
According to the police official, Wakode submitted a written statement to the institute after allegedly being caught cheating in an examination. In the statement, he said he had not prepared well for the paper, acknowledged his mistake and sought a second chance.
A first information report (FIR) was registered by Powai police against Professor Doolla following a complaint lodged by Wakode’s father. The professor, who has been named as an accused in the abetment-to-suicide case, has, in his statement to the police, denied the allegations of harassment levelled against him by the student’s parents.
Wakode’s parents, Ravindra and Sonali Wakode, began their hunger strike at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai on September 24, alleging caste discrimination at the institute and seeking justice for their son.
Courtesy : Maktoob Media
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