Mumbai: After close to two months of agitation, IIT Bombay students have called off their sit-in protest following the return of belongings seized during a police intervention on campus last month. The decision came after talks with the Dean of Student Affairs and an email from institute director prof Shireesh Kedare outlining measures towards systemic reforms. It also coincides with the institute’s end semester exam which began on Nov 10.The protesting students, who had regrouped under Justice Corner 2.0, called it a victory for campus democracy. However, a laptop belonging to one student remains with the authorities, they claimed.The confrontation began on Sept 18 after the death by suicide of second year student Sahil Wakode.In an email to students on Friday, prof Kedare detailed initiatives undertaken over the semester, particularly the preceding two months, to address concerns raised by students and campus stakeholders.These included strengthening mental health support, reviewing hostel rules, improving grievance redressal mechanisms, expanding recreational facilities and upgrading campus infrastructure. Student representatives, faculty, alumni and administrators were working together on these initiatives, he said.“Meaningful institutional reform is a long-term effort,” Kedare wrote, stressing the need for patience, consistency and sustained engagement. He said the institute aimed to build systems that were more responsive to students, faculty and staff.The breakthrough followed a meeting with the Dean of Student Affairs. In a social media post, the Justice Corner collective said the administration had acknowledged several lapses in existing systems and assured students that their demands were being addressed.“We’ll hold them to it. Justice Corner will keep watch, follow up, and make sure every promise turns into action,” the collective said.The students, however, maintained that the return of their belongings was secured through collective pressure rather than administrative goodwill.“We are calling off our protest today; we have almost all of our confiscated belongings back. We received an email from the Director regarding our demands and future dialogue,” the collective announced, calling for a victory march at 9.30 pm on Friday.While the immediate standoff has ended, all eyes are on the police report and the findings of the enquiry committee set up by the IITB board of governors.The students have made clear that the protest’s withdrawal does not mean an end to their campaign. “We will continue fighting against every injustice,” they said.What Changed After 57 Days of Protest?The 57-day student protest following Sahil Wakode’s death on September 18 has prompted several commitments and changes at IIT Bombay.On paper:– 18 demands: Director signed the students’ charter on September 20.– Mental health: 30 new counsellor posts announced.– Review committees: Panels constituted to examine the SC/ST Cell, hostel conditions and mental health concerns.– Examination rules: Revision underway to ensure students accused of violations can present their defence.On campus:– Student feedback: Regular surveys introduced to assess campus concerns.– Greater dialogue: Student bodies presenting reports at General Body Meetings; departmental open houses held or planned.– Communication: More direct administrative engagement on mental health, discrimination and student rights.– Everyday changes: Revised delivery timings and reportedly more responsive faculty and administrators.Still unresolved:– Release of the internal report on Sahil’s death.– Independent inquiry into the incident.– Safeguards for students facing disciplinary accusations.The sit-in has ended, but implementation remains the test.
