‘Omission leads to discrimination’: Civil society group in Bengaluru flags institutional failures behind student suicides

The Campaign for Rohith Act, a civil society group, called for independent and time-bound investigation into three deaths — Sahil Wakode of IIT Bombay, Aditya Kumar of IIIT Ranchi, and Akilan of Tamil Nadu — students who took their lives due to alleged discrimination, at a meeting held in Bengaluru on Monday (October 26) to remember them. The Campaign also demanded effective implementation of anti-caste discrimination safeguards in all educational institutions, protection for the families and protesting students and enactment of the Rohith Act across the country, among other demands.

The panelists at the event reflected on ‘omission leads to discrimination’. Dontha Prashanth, assistant professor in economics at Azim Premji University, highlighted how despite there being a mechanism to look into alleged malpractices by students, the invigilator in the Sahil Wakode case reportedly ignored the protocol. Mr. Prashanth termed it an act of omission by the invigilator.

He also spoke about the atmosphere of intimidation that could prevent students, who witnessed alleged discrimination, from testifying.

Pointing to the social media responses following the student’s death, he spoke about how it intensified hostility towards students from marginalised castes. According to him, media coverage reinforced particular narratives originating from the institution, further alienating the students.

Mary E. John, former director of the Centre for Women’s Development Studies, pointed to how institutions are failing their students despite having an opportunity to embrace inclusion. 

“In my time, IITs were ‘elite institutions’. Today, students from smaller towns are putting in hard work and securing entry to these institutions. This is a revolutionary transformation. But institutions are yet to grasp this moment of inclusion. Faculty composition doesn’t mirror the student composition and student suicides are only a tip of the iceberg,” Ms. John said.

(If you are in distress or having suicidal tendencies, please reach out to these helplines: TeleMANAS at 1-8008914416/ 14416, NIMHANS at 08026685948, 9480829670 or SAHAI at 080 25497777, +91-9886444075)