175 IIT Bombay alumni urge parties to stay off campus, protect 12,000 students
By TUF News Desk · Published 21 October 2026 · 4 min read
Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy
More than 175 alumni of the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay have appealed to political parties to keep politics away from the campus. In a media statement issued on Monday (October 19), they warned that disruptions linked to political interference could affect the studies, examinations and mental well-being of nearly 12,000 students.
The statement described the developments on campus over the past month as deeply unfortunate. It raised seven concerns and said the campus must remain dedicated to education, research, innovation and intellectual growth, free from political interference.
What the alumni asked for
While respecting the right of students to protest peacefully and seek justice, the alumni said the academic interests and safety of the rest of the student body also had to be protected.
“We are genuinely concerned that disruptions arising from political interference could adversely affect their academic results and future prospects,” the statement said. It also pointed to the atmosphere of stress and uncertainty on campus, and warned that this could affect students’ mental well-being and lead to further grievances and incidents.
It asked political parties and other stakeholders to act responsibly so students could prepare for and appear in examinations in a peaceful, stress-free environment. “Let IIT-B remain a campus of academic excellence, not political contestation,” it said.
Call to speed up the investigation
Alongside the appeal, the alumni called on the police to expedite the investigation into recent events on campus and establish the facts through a fair and timely process.
The intervention follows the death of second-year BTech student Sahil Wakode on September 18. His family has alleged that he faced caste-based harassment from a faculty member, and an FIR for abetment to suicide has been registered against the named faculty member. Those allegations remain under investigation.
Student group flags security concerns
On the same day, a group of undergraduate students, under the banner IIT-B for Bharat, issued its own statement on X, raising concerns about campus security, political involvement in the ongoing protests and disruptions to academic activities.
According to the Hindustan Times, the group said people from outside the institute had attempted to enter the campus by jumping over the boundary wall. It questioned whether the protest was still focused on its demand for justice, or was being influenced by wider political interests.
The students said repeated closures and restrictions at the main gate were affecting daily campus life. They feared academic programmes, institutional events and professional interactions could be postponed or cancelled, and said students attending classes, working in labs and doing research should be able to enter the institute without difficulty.
What has happened so far
This is the latest response at IIT Bombay since Wakode’s death. The institute emailed anti-discrimination guidelines to the campus on October 13, which we covered in its anti-discrimination guidelines, and opened 30 ad hoc counsellor posts at its Student Wellness Centre. The parents’ protest and their detention on October 18 were covered here.
Aspirants comparing institutes may find how to choose a university in India useful for reading campus culture alongside ranks and fees. Official announcements from the institute appear on IIT Bombay’s official website.
Frequently asked questions
What did the IIT Bombay alumni ask for?
More than 175 alumni urged political parties to stay away from the campus in a media statement on October 19, saying it should remain dedicated to education, research and innovation, free from political interference.
How many students could be affected, according to the alumni?
The alumni said disruptions linked to political interference could affect the studies, examinations, academic results, future prospects and mental well-being of nearly 12,000 students.
What did the student group IIT-B for Bharat say?
A group of undergraduate students issued a statement on X the same day, raising concerns about campus security, political involvement in the ongoing protests and disruptions to academic activities at IIT Bombay.
What is the investigation status in the student’s death case?
An FIR for abetment to suicide has been registered against a faculty member named in the family’s complaint. The alumni urged police to speed up the probe through a fair and timely process; the allegations remain under investigation.
Frequently asked questions
What did the IIT Bombay alumni ask for?
More than 175 alumni urged political parties to stay away from the campus in a media statement on October 19, saying it should remain dedicated to education, research and innovation, free from political interference.
How many students could be affected, according to the alumni?
The alumni said disruptions linked to political interference could affect the studies, examinations, academic results, future prospects and mental well-being of nearly 12,000 students.
What did the student group IIT-B for Bharat say?
A group of undergraduate students issued a statement on X the same day, raising concerns about campus security, political involvement in the ongoing protests and disruptions to academic activities at IIT Bombay.
What is the investigation status in the student's death case?
An FIR for abetment to suicide has been registered against a faculty member named in the family's complaint. The alumni urged police to speed up the probe through a fair and timely process; the allegations remain under investigation.
Sources: Hindustan Times, The Free Press Journal