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Shama Mohamed Backs Prof Doolla in IIT-B Suicide Case, Sparks Row Over "Mentally Strong" Comment
- •Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed defended Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, accused in an IIT Bombay student's suicide, stating her generation was "mentally strong."
- •The controversy arose after BTech student Sahil Wakode died by suicide following an incident where he was caught cheating during an exam.
- •An FIR was registered against Professor Doolla, alleging casteist slurs and abetment of suicide.
- •Mohamed's initial comments on X (formerly Twitter) supported the professor's right to admonish a cheating student, drawing criticism for insensitivity.
- •She later clarified that her remarks were not against marginalized communities but in defense of exam integrity and invigilator rights, urging reporting of casteist discrimination.
Key Questions Answered
Shama Mohamed sparked widespread controversy by defending IIT Bombay professor Suryanarayana Doolla on X after a student died by suicide following an exam cheating incident, remarking that her generation was mentally strong and that admonishing cheating students is normal. Her comments faced heavy criticism for appearing insensitive to mental health and caste discrimination issues.
Following intense backlash, Mohamed clarified that she harbors no anti-Dalit sentiment and spoke purely to defend exam integrity and an invigilator's right to address cheating. She reiterated that any allegations of casteist slurs and discrimination should be properly reported to the SC/ST department.
IIT Bombay removed and suspended Professor Suryanarayana Doolla with immediate effect following days of intensive student protests and an 18-point charter of demands agreed to by the institute's director. The police also registered an FIR against him for abetment of suicide and alleged casteist slurs after the student's family filed a complaint.
