IIT-B students’ hunger strike enters second day in solidarity with Sahil Wakode’s parents

Ravindra and Sonali Wakode on hunger strike, demanding justice for their son. FILE PIC/ASHISH RAJE

While Ravindra and Sonali Wakode, parents of the deceased IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode, have already been on a hunger strike at Azad Maidan, eight students also undertook a hunger strike on October 2. Saturday marked the 16th day after the unfortunate demise of the 20-year-old student at IIT Bombay, sparking controversy amid opposing claims of caste-based discrimination and cheating.

As per student reports, one of the protesting students on the hunger strike fell ill on Saturday. The student reportedly felt fatigue and dizziness, but chose to continue with the hunger strike until evening. The other protestors were assessing whether the student was in need of emergency healthcare and have asked the administration for assistance. "We have two other students who experienced fatigue," a protester told Sunday mid-day.

"We are thinking of continuing the protests in shifts. The eight of us sat for the protest on Friday and now a new batch of protestors will take over at 6 pm on Saturday," she said. In the meantime, Sahil Wakode's parents were not given permission to protest at Azad Maidan over the weekend. They tried to meet the protesting students on campus but did not go after no formal permission was extended by the institute.

"We are very certain that we won't do anything outside the law or without proper permissions. IIT-B was contacted through Crime Branch and we haven't heard back yet so we won't be going to the campus. The intention of the parents was to relieve the students of their hunger strike so their health isn't affected," said Nikhil Kamble, the lawyer representing Ravindra Wakode.

A faction of students who have undertaken the hunger strike are demanding for Sahil's parents to be able to access the IITB campus. The group has also sought suspension of a professor involved in the case.