Mumbai: Eight students from IIT-Bombay began a hunger strike on the Powai campus on Friday, Gandhi Jayanti, demanding accountability from the administration over the recent spate of student suicides and action on their 10-point charter of demands.The hunger strike began on the 15th day of protests following the death by suicide of second-year B Tech student Sahil Wakode on Sept 18. Eight students fasted on Friday and will decide whether to continue in relay form or otherwise on Saturday. Sahil’s parents have also been on hunger strike since last week, subject to police permission.Hundreds of students rallied for four days after Sahil’s death, demanding action against Prof Suryanarayana Doolla, but fewer continued after the institute held an open house on Sept 21. Many students also expressed support for Doolla that day.The protesters said several demands remained unmet and the administration had not officially responded despite receiving them early this week. They alleged that the institute tried to forcibly move them from the main-gate protest site, which they have named ‘Justice Corner’, on grounds that they were blocking access. The students denied blocking movement.A student said they have been holding various activities, including discussions and book-reading sessions, and allowing students to share their experiences at the forum. “Many have shared their experiences with the student wellness centre too, and how the institute’s idea is allegedly different from what the students seek,” said the student, adding that they are seeking appointment of a medical professional as dean of students’ welfare and conducting six-monthly audits.They also demanded that Sahil’s parents be able to safely visit campus and meet students and the administration. They sought dissolution of the existing investigation committee, citing apprehensions of bias because some members had publicly supported Doolla. They demanded an independent external committee, including Bhalchandra Mungekar, P Sainath, Ram Puniyani and Sukhadeo Thorat as members.Other demands included Doolla’s suspension from all responsibilities until the investigation concludes, changes to hostel and examination schedules, safer working conditions, an end to gender disparities among workers, and no action against protesting students on campus.
