IIT-B professor had warned students against caste-based bias in 2023, 2024

Annual advisories issued by IIT Bombay professor Suryanarayana Doolla in 2023 and 2024, urging students and staff to avoid questions that could reveal a peer’s caste or social background, have resurfaced amid allegations of caste discrimination following the death of student Sahil Wakode.

The advisories were issued when Doolla was serving as Dean, Student Affairs, and were part of an annual practice rather than communications triggered by a specific complaint or incident, according to Sumit Yadav, who served as Institute Secretary, Hostel Affairs during Doolla’s tenure.

Yadav also said his experience of working with Doolla did not involve witnessing caste-based discrimination.

“From my experience working with him, Professor Doolla has been a helpful and supportive person. I have never seen him discriminate against anyone based on their caste or identity,” Yadav said.

Doolla served as Dean, Student Affairs in 2023 and 2024 and issued the advisories during both years, Yadav confirmed.

What the advisories said

The 2024 advisory cautioned students against asking peers about their birth or admission category, JEE Advanced ranks, GATE scores or other information that could potentially reveal their caste.

The communication said such questions, even when asked out of curiosity, could create conscious or subconscious bias and make another student feel singled out on the basis of caste.

It also stressed the need for an inclusive campus environment where students could interact without distinctions based on caste, religion or socioeconomic status.

The 2023 and 2024 emails stated that asking students about their JEE Advanced ranks, GATE scores or other details that could reveal their caste could have an adverse impact and potentially create a setting for discrimination.

Doolla also referred to IIT Bombay’s implementation of the Constitution’s reservation policy and emphasised the need to ensure equal opportunities for students admitted to the institute.

The advisories were therefore part of the institute’s annual messaging on maintaining an inclusive campus environment during Doolla’s tenure as Dean, Student Affairs.

Advisories resurface after Sahil Wakode’s death

The earlier communications have drawn renewed attention after the death of Sahil Wakode, a second-year IIT Bombay student, which triggered protests on campus and fresh discussions around student welfare, caste discrimination and institutional accountability.

Wakode’s family has raised allegations of caste-based discrimination involving Doolla. The allegations are being examined separately as the circumstances surrounding the student’s death remain under investigation.

The existence of Doolla’s earlier advisories does not, by itself, establish whether the allegations against him are true or false. However, the communications provide context on the institute’s stated approach to caste-related questions and discrimination during his tenure as Dean, Student Affairs.

Further developments in the investigation into Wakode’s death and the allegations surrounding the case are awaited.