India
oi-Madhuri Adnal
Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, a long serving faculty member of IIT Bombay’s Department of Energy Science and Engineering, is now at the centre of student protests following the death by suicide of second year student Sahil Wakode.
Doolla was suspended on the evening of September 20 after three days of protests by students at the institute. The protests followed Sahil’s death and demands from students for action against those they hold responsible.
Following the suicide of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode, Professor Suryanarayana Doolla was suspended after students protested demanding action, with Sahil’s parents alleging caste discrimination and naming Doolla in an FIR.
The development came after IIT Bombay Director Professor Shireesh Kedare met students who were sitting in protest near the campus gate and signed an 18 point charter of demands.
The charter included the immediate suspension of Doolla, who was invigilating the examination taken by Sahil. He has also been named in an FIR based on a complaint filed by Sahil’s parents.
Sahil, a 20 year old second year BTech student of Energy Science and Engineering, died by suicide on Friday, hours after he was allegedly caught using a mobile phone during a mid semester examination and seeking answers through ChatGPT.
His parents have held Doolla responsible for their son’s death and have alleged caste based discrimination on campus.
The IIT Bombay administration agreed to the students’ 18 point charter after three days of demonstrations. Details of the agreement are expected to be discussed with students at an open house on Monday, after which the protesters will decide whether to continue their agitation.
The IIT Bombay Faculty Forum has meanwhile backed Doolla. It said he was carrying out his duties as an invigilator and had followed the institute’s prescribed procedure after detecting the alleged examination malpractice.
Who is Suryanarayana Doolla?
Away from the current controversy, Doolla has spent more than a decade at IIT Bombay as a teacher, researcher and administrator.
He specialises in power systems, smart grids, microgrids and renewable energy integration and has been involved in several research and academic initiatives at the institute.
According to information available on the IIT Bombay website and cited by India Today, Doolla completed his BTech in Electrical Engineering from Nagarjuna University in 2000. He then completed an MTech in Energy Systems Engineering from IIT Bombay in 2002 and a PhD in Power Systems from IIT Delhi in 2007.
Before joining IIT Bombay, he worked with Power Research and Development Consultants in Bengaluru and Machine 2 Machine in Hyderabad.
At IIT Bombay, his responsibilities have gone beyond teaching and research. He served as the warden of Hostel 6 and later as Dean of Student Affairs. He was also associated with the organisation of JEE Advanced, UCEED and CEED.
His academic career includes several teaching and research recognitions. These include the Prof S P Sukhatme Excellence in Teaching Award in 2021, IIT Bombay’s Excellence in Teaching Award in 2017 and the Young Faculty Award in 2009. He has also received recognition through IEEE awards and fellowships.
What happens next?
Doolla’s name is now part of a wider dispute over the circumstances surrounding Sahil’s death, student welfare and the institute’s handling of the examination incident.
Sahil’s family has alleged harassment and caste based discrimination, while IIT Bombay has rejected those allegations and maintained that no disciplinary action had been initiated against the student.
Doolla has been named in the FIR filed following the family’s complaint, and the matter remains under investigation.
The protesting students have called for an independent inquiry, institutional reforms and accountability from those found responsible. Their 18 point charter also includes demands aimed at addressing wider concerns raised by students.
For now, two processes are unfolding at the same time: the investigation into the circumstances surrounding Sahil’s death and IIT Bombay’s response to the demands made by the protesting students.
The findings of these processes will determine what action follows and help establish the circumstances surrounding the student’s death.
HELP IS JUST ONE CALL AWAY
Complete Anonymity, Professional Counselling Services
iCALL Mental Helpline Number: 9152987821
Mon – Sat: 10am – 8pm
