IIT Bombay has issued new anti-discrimination guidelines advising students, faculty members and staff not to ask about a student’s birth, admission category, JEE (Advanced) rank or GATE score, following protests over the death by suicide of 22-year-old student Sahil Wakode.
The guidelines were issued on October 13 by the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs. The institute said they are intended to foster inclusivity and encourage students to build relationships irrespective of caste, religion or socio-economic background.
According to the communication, questions about a student’s birth or admission category are inappropriate because they may result in “conscious or subconscious bias”. It also specifically cautioned against asking for JEE (Advanced) ranks, GATE scores or other information that could reveal caste or related aspects.
The institute said such questions could have a negative impact even when asked out of curiosity and may be perceived as discriminatory. The guidelines apply to interactions involving students, staff and faculty members.
The communication also prohibited the exchange or forwarding of abusive, hateful, casteist or sexist messages, as well as messages displaying religious bigotry or prejudice based on sexual orientation. The restriction covers jokes and other communications that could be construed as harassment or bullying, whether shared on WhatsApp, Facebook, email or in person. The institute warned that violations could lead to severe punishment.
IIT Bombay encouraged students to form connections around common interests such as academic departments, sports, music, movies, hometowns and hobbies. The guidelines are part of the institute’s stated efforts to strengthen student welfare, streamline institutional processes and increase student participation in decision-making.
The move follows continuing protests after Wakode, a second-year BTech student, was found dead in his hostel room on the evening of September 18. The incident followed allegations that he had been caught cheating during a mid-semester examination. Police have reportedly said that Wakode apologised for cheating and sought a second chance.
Wakode’s parents have accused IIT Bombay professor Suryanarayana Doolla of harassment and caste-based discrimination. The professor, who was questioned by Mumbai police for nearly 10 hours earlier this month, has denied the allegations, according to the report.
Student and political organisations have continued to protest outside the institute’s Powai campus, demanding dialogue with the administration on student welfare. A delegation submitted a letter to the director, while student representatives said they lacked confidence in the institute’s internal inquiry committee. The parents have also continued a hunger strike at Azad Maidan, seeking action and accountability from the institute administration.
The new guidelines address everyday campus interactions, but they do not by themselves settle the allegations surrounding Wakode’s death or the ongoing police and institutional inquiries. IIT Bombay’s next steps will include continuing its student-welfare and participation initiatives while the investigations and protests remain ongoing.
