Mumbai, Sept. 24 -- The parents of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode, whose death has triggered allegations of caste discrimination, began a hunger strike in Mumbai on Thursday seeking action against those they hold responsible for allegedly tormenting their son, as the institute postponed mid-semester examinations and apologised again over its earlier communication on his death.

Sahil's parents, Ravindra and Sonali Wakode, began the protest at Azad Maidan. Ravindra said his son had repeatedly told the family about alleged caste discrimination at the institute and demanded that those responsible be arrested.

The couple also met the chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and submitted a memorandum seeking a speedy investigation.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spoke to the parents and assured them support in their pursuit of justice, party sources said. Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad said Gandhi spoke to the family for nearly 17 minutes through a video call.

IIT Bombay postponed its September 26-27 mid-semester examinations to October 10-11. The institute also reissued an apology for its earlier statement suggesting that Sahil had died by suicide after allegedly being caught using ChatGPT during an examination.

It said the circumstances surrounding his death remained under investigation and acknowledged that it was inappropriate to characterise events preceding his death before they were established by authorities.

Sahil, 22, a second-year BTech student, was found hanging in his hostel room on September 18. The Mumbai Police Crime Branch is probing the case.

Faculty member Suryanarayan Doolla, named in an FIR alleging abetment to suicide on caste-discrimination grounds, has been sent on leave to facilitate an impartial probe.

Meanwhile, Congress workers and NSUI activists protested outside IIT Bombay. Police detained Gaikwad and others. Gaikwad demanded a comprehensive probe and accountability.

CCTV footage purportedly showing Sahil being taken away from an examination hall has also surfaced, while an earlier email attributed to Doolla cautioning students against asking about admission categories has circulated on social media.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.