# Sahil Wakode parents hunger strike enters second day, no government contact yet

2026-09-29T14:01:49+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 2 independent outlets

The parents of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode continued their indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan in Mumbai on Tuesday, demanding the arrest of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla and IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare. Their lawyer Nikhil Kamble said no government representative had approached them, though Deccan Herald reports Union Minister Ramdas Athawale spoke to the father by phone and assured justice. The Times of India says Athawale also said action should be taken against those responsible. Sahil (22) was found dead in his hostel room on September 18, hours after being caught allegedly using ChatGPT during an exam. His parents allege caste discrimination. The Mumbai Crime Branch is investigating. The IIT Bombay board has set up a 10-member inquiry committee, but the family says no one from it has contacted them. The parents have vowed to continue the fast until the two named officials are arrested.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

Both Deccan Herald and Times of India report the same core facts, but DH leads with the parents' isolation and their lawyer's statement that no government representative approached them, while TOI leads with Athawale's call and assurance. The DH framing emphasises government inaction and the family's unmet demands, whereas TOI centres government outreach. The difference is slight but real: DH suggests official silence, TOI suggests official engagement. Together, they show a government that has reached out verbally but not formally through the inquiry panel, which the parents say has not contacted them. The Crime Branch investigation and IIT Bombay's panel are the two processes to track for next steps.

## Coverage

- deccanherald.com (neutral report) <https://www.deccanherald.com/india/maharashtra/day-2-of-hunger-strike-no-one-from-govt-approached-us-says-lawyer-of-sahil-wakodes-parents-4163720>
  Leads with family's claim of no government contact, reports facts without slant
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/will-ensure-justice-for-your-son-ramdas-athawale-speaks-to-parents-of-iit-bombay-student/articleshow/134563636.cms>
  Leads with Athawale's assurance, reports facts without slant

Tags: caste discrimination, IIT Bombay, Mumbai Crime Branch, Ramdas Athawale, Sahil Wakode
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