IIT-Bombay admits to conducting survey on exclusion culture

In January 2022, a Dalit student at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay died by suicide. The student's death sparked widespread outrage and renewed discussions about discrimination and exclusion of marginalized communities in India's educational institutions.

In response to the incident, IIT Bombay has admitted to conducting surveys to understand and address the "culture of exclusion" on its campus. The institute's director, Subhasis Chaudhuri, stated that the surveys were aimed at identifying "vulnerable groups" and "understanding their experiences and difficulties on campus."

The surveys, which were conducted in collaboration with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, included questions about the students' experiences of discrimination and exclusion, as well as their mental health and well-being. The institute has also formed a committee to address the concerns raised by the surveys and to ensure that all students feel safe and included on campus.

However, critics have pointed out that this is not the first time that IIT Bombay has been accused of discrimination against Dalit students. In 2020, a report by the Ambedkar Periyar Phule Study Circle (APPSC), a student organization, alleged that the institute was systematically discriminating against Dalit students in admissions, placements, and other areas.

The APPSC report also highlighted the lack of diversity in the faculty and the curriculum, which perpetuates the marginalization of Dalit and other marginalized communities. Therefore, while the institute's efforts to address the "culture of exclusion" are a step in the right direction, more needs to be done to create a truly inclusive and equitable educational environment.