IIT Mumbai: … “So who will now examine the answer sheet of the Knowledge Temple?” …

Once, the IITs introduced Indian intellect to the world, providing the country with scientists, industrialists, researchers, and global leadership; but today the Sahil Wakoade case has brought back a disturbing question. That is, while upholding social justice, reservations, and student rights, where are we losing the academic autonomy, quality, and institutional discipline of IITs?

India did not establish IITs merely as colleges but as laboratories of modern India's intellect. This movement, which began with IIT Kharagpur in 1951, reached IIT Mumbai by 1958. The 1961 Act granted IITs the status of “institutions of national importance.” With the cooperation of UNESCO and the then Soviet Union, IIT Mumbai further carved out its own distinct identity on the world map. The people who emerged from this institution were not just graduates; they directed industry, science, research, technology, and public life. Among them are Infotech’s Nandan Nilekani, Salil Parekh, VMware’s Raghav Raghuram, and other professors conducting world‑level research in these universities, as well as hundreds of dignitaries in various fields—examples of that tradition. IIT Mumbai itself records the global contributions of its alumni. Thus, today the question is not merely what exactly happened behind Sahil Wakoade’s death; the underlying question is where exactly the relationship between students, teachers, administration, social justice, and academic discipline stands in the knowledge temple of IIT?

The history of reservations that has surfaced in this context cannot be avoided in this discussion. In the IIT system, special admission arrangements and concessions for SC/ST students evolved from the late 1960s, and significant changes were applied to admission criteria from 1973 onward. Subsequently, within the constitutional reservation framework, provisions for SC/ST, then OBC, and later EWS were implemented in central educational institutions. Implementation of OBC reservations in central educational institutions began in 2008‑09. However, a very important line must be drawn here… because the simple conclusion that reservations arrived and the status of IIT declined is not based on facts. Reservations are a constitutional arrangement for social representation; whereas the quality of IIT depends on many factors such as admission tests, teaching, research, laboratories, faculty quality, student effort, and institutional culture. Therefore, the real question is not about reservations. The real question is how strictly we have maintained the balance between quality and academic discipline alongside reservations?

Another very important question is whether, under the banner of social justice, caste identity becomes the first language of every question of the institution, will the language of knowledge fall behind? And at the same time, the other side must be considered as rigorously: if there is a real experience of caste discrimination, should it be denied simply because “it cannot happen in IIT”? The true test of an institution like IIT lies between these two poles. IIT Mumbai itself has established an SC/ST Cell, an OBC Liaison Cell, and various grievance‑redress mechanisms. The institution’s official policy states that caste discrimination has no place. Thus, social justice and academic excellence need not be mutually exclusive. So why is the Sahil Wakoade case so unsettling? Because what began as alleged misconduct in an exam has now escalated to accusations of caste harassment, actions against professors, student protests, demands for administrative accountability, and the institution’s decision‑making process.

IIT later expressed regret over the initial statement and acknowledged that presenting conclusive details before the investigation was complete was inappropriate. Professor Suryanarayan Dulla was removed from the administrative position of Dean; however, he remains a professor. Students have put forward 18 demands along with an independent inquiry. This clearly illustrates one lesson: the discipline expected when examining a student must also be demonstrated by the administration in every statement. If a student violates a rule, an inquiry must be conducted. If professors are accused, they too must be investigated impartially. If caste harassment is alleged, it must be examined against evidence. And if a student dies, the cause of death must be determined by investigation, not by announcements. Accusations are not convictions, and protests are not final courts.

An even bigger question is the institutional culture of IIT...

In the institution that has planted the flag of Indian intellect across the world, if political pressure, ethnic polarization, social‑media trials or mistrust in administration grow, who will feel the blow? First, the students. Then the teachers. And finally the name of IIT. Therefore today IIT does not need to flee from reservation, but to strengthen quality alongside reservation. Zero tolerance against ethnic discrimination is required. At the same time, zero tolerance against academic malpractice is also needed. And most importantly, a robust system for students’ mental health is required. Yet teachers also need the freedom to enforce academic discipline impartially. A complaint‑resolution mechanism is needed. But decisions on complaints should be based on evidence, not social media or street slogans. Because IIT is not the property of any caste, party or ideology. It is India’s national intellectual property.

Therefore the true demand of the Sahil Wakoade case should be singular. Truth must come to light. It matters whether it sides with anyone; what matters is whether it is true.

Because IIT’s true strength is not in its buildings, nor in its laboratories. Its true strength lies in the courage to ask questions, the method to seek answers, and the integrity to accept truth. Today, Sahil’s death has posed a difficult exam paper to IIT Mumbai. That exam paper contains not just one question about plagiarism, caste, reservation, protest or politics. It is a test of the entire institutional culture. And in this exam, IIT must first examine its own answer sheet, not that of the students.

Because if this “temple of knowledge” that showcases India’s intellect wants to stand tall before the world again, one thing must be firmly stated: whether it is reservation or open competition, social justice or quality; every person who enters through IIT’s doors must observe restraint, diligence, self‑reflection, and strict discipline. (Senior journalist Ministry Anant Nalavde)