IIT-Bombay caste row: Professor Doolla’s 2024 email shows he warned students against caste discrimination

In a recent development surrounding the tragic death of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode, a 2024 email from Professor Suryanarayana Doolla has emerged. Doolla, who was the Dean of Student Affairs at the time, had cautioned students against asking about each other's JEE ranks or GATE scores, as this could reveal their castes or whether they belonged to a reserved category.

Wakode's parents have alleged that he had complained about casteist remarks made towards him in the days leading up to his suicide on September 18, 2023. The resurfacing of this email, first made public in 2023 when Doolla was dean, has been cited by the Wakode family in their allegations of caste-based discrimination at IIT Bombay.

The institute had faced protests following Wakode's death and had previously circulated anti-discrimination guidelines in July 2023 and again in 2024. These guidelines emphasized the importance of inclusivity on campus and prohibited asking fellow students about their JEE (Advanced) ranks, GATE scores, or any other information that may reveal their caste.

The guidelines also stated that it was inappropriate to exchange or forward any messages that were abusive, hateful, or casteist in nature, as violations could result in severe punishment.