The investigation into the tragic death of Indian Institute of Technology Bombay student Sahil Wakode has gathered momentum as the Mumbai Crime Branch steps up its inquiries. Detectives handling the case have recorded the statements of several students from the premier institute, focusing specifically on those who were present alongside him in the examination hall as well as his close peer circle. The probe gained urgency after the deceased student's parents leveled grave allegations against faculty member Professor Suryanarayana Dulla, leading to the registration of a case under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act, alongside the administrative measure of sending the professor on leave.
July 2024 Communication Back in the Spotlight
Amid the growing controversy and active police scrutiny, an archival internal communication dispatched by Professor Suryanarayana Dulla has come into sharp focus. Sent on July 27, 2024, the email was issued during his tenure serving as the Dean of Student Affairs at IIT Bombay. Directed to the entire student body, the formal memo outlined guidelines aimed at fostering an inclusive campus atmosphere and curbing prejudice rooted in caste, religion, or socioeconomic standing.
Direct Warning Against Questioning Ranks and Categories
In that circular, Professor Dulla specifically instructed students to refrain from probing their peers about sensitive background details. He highlighted that asking fellow classmates about their caste, birth details, admission criteria, JEE Advanced ranks, or GATE scores was entirely inappropriate. The email explained that even if such inquiries stemmed from harmless curiosity, they often resulted in latent prejudice and paved the way for social exclusion or discrimination within the academic community.
Guidelines on Respectful Conduct and Digital Behaviour
The correspondence urged everyone on campus to maintain mutual respect, particularly regarding sensitive facets like religious faith, gender, and social identity. Professor Dulla issued an explicit caution prohibiting the forwarding or dissemination of offensive jokes, text messages, or digital material that carried casteist, communal, sexist, or homophobic undertones. The advisory warned that distributing such content severely damages the campus environment and carries the risk of stringent disciplinary penalties from the administration.
Context of the Resurfaced Guidance
The reappearance of this official circular comes at a critical juncture when Professor Suryanarayana Dulla himself stands accused by Sahil's family. While his 2024 directives as Dean of Student Affairs sought to instruct students on eliminating caste bias and respecting individual dignity, investigators are currently sifting through classroom testimonies and campus records to establish the sequence of events surrounding the student's death.
