The administration of IIT Bombay has begun implementing an unusual change in its hostels to prevent student suicides. To avoid the use of ceiling fans for hanging, they are being replaced with wall-mounted fans.
According to sources, this step has been under consideration for the past two months and was recently approved. The first batch of wall-mounted fans has already arrived on campus. The fan replacement is part of a strategy that the IIT Bombay administration promised to students in July.
This decision was made amid significant controversy following an incident where Sahil Wakode, a 20-year-old second-year undergraduate student in biotechnology, committed suicide by hanging.
This move has drawn public attention given the rising number of suicide cases among university students. Similar changes in suicide prevention methods have previously been introduced in some other institutions in the country.
Administration's Stance: No Link to Suicides
Nevertheless, IIT Bombay officials explained that hostel renovations were already planned, and the fan replacement is part of this broader program. According to officials, the decision to replace the fans was made by the administration long before the recent suicide incidents, and there is no direct connection between them.
'System Failure Will Not Be Hidden'
Political figures also reacted to this decision. Anish Gavane, a representative of the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), questioned the decision, expressing sarcasm. He stated that it is futile to assume that replacing a ceiling fan can fix a completely ruined and broken system.
