Cry for justice to IIT Bombay student grows louder, #JusticeForDarshanSolanki trends on Twitter

Darshan Solanki's father Rameshbhai Solanki has appealed to students to participate in the candle-lit march to be held tomorrow between 6.30 pm and 9.30 pm.

Many students across India are taking to streets to protest against the death of Darshan Solanki, an 18-year-old engineering student of IIT Bombay, who allegedly committed suicide by jumping off the seventh floor of a hostel building located on the campus. Many people have taken to Twitter to show solidarity with the deceased student. They are trending #JusticeForDarshanSolanki, demanding a fair probe into the student’s death. 

#JusticeForDarshanSolanki: Family organises candle march tomorrow 

Meanwhile, Darshan’s father Rameshbhai Solanki has urged people to hold a candle march across different states tomorrow (February 19), demanding justice for Darshan. Congress MLA Jignesh Mevani has shared a video in which Darshan's father Rameshbhai is appealing students to participate in the candle-lit march to be held on February 19 between 6.30 pm and 9.30 pm. 

Solanki's family has claimed that he faced discrimination at the IIT Bombay for belonging to a Scheduled Caste community and suspected foul play in his death.  

While one wrote, "अहमदाबाद के अनुसूचित जाति के दर्शन सोलंकी जोकि @iitbombayका छात्र था को कॉलेज हॉस्टल मे मनुवादी सोच के सवर्ण रूममेट छात्रों ने इतना ज्यादा जातीय अत्याचार किये कि छात्र दर्शन सोलंकी छत से छलांग लगाकर मौत को गले लगा लिया, दोषियों पर सख्त कार्यवाही हो. #JusticeForDarshanSolanki,” another tweeted, “When the officials who are supposed to help students are part of the problem, it most definitely is an institutional murder. #JusticeForDarshanSolanki.” 

Echoing similar concerns, a student tweeted,”Please Speak Out!! Louder and Louder! Your death wouldn’t haunt them! Your Existence haunt them badly! Parents please talk to your Brilliant kids!Help them! Make them comfortable! Never let them feel All Alone in this Casteist Eco Chambers!! #JusticeForDarshanSolanki,” another wrote, “How many people like Rohith Vemula, Payal Tadvi, Darshan Solanki, and many more will have to give their lives to change this casteist system? #JusticeForDarshanSolanki.” 

Working actively to create inclusive environment on campus: IIT Bombay Director 

Meanwhile, the institute Director Subhasis Chaudhuri has shot yet another email to all students of the institute saying that the institute is working actively to create an inclusive campus where all students feel at home. According to an email sent by the IIT Bombay Director to all students of the institute, “The Mumbai police and IIT Bombay are actively investigating into the environment/incidents/reasons for the tragic death of Darshan. The police has interviewed a large number of people, and has taken Darshan's phone and laptop for forensic analysis. We are waiting for updates from the police on the cause.” 

He said, “In parallel, we have started our own investigation headed by Prof Nand Kishore, who till recently was our Chief Vigilance Officer, and is experienced in these matters. The committee includes SC/ST student cell members, including both faculty and students, some of the student mentor coordinators and the In-charge Chief Medical Officer of our hospital. The committee is actively meeting everyone who might have relevant information. If you have any information that you believe may be relevant, please reach out to the committee by either meeting any of the committee members, or by emailing Prof Nand Kishore (nandk@chem.iitb.ac.in) or to Powai Police.”  

Read more: 

• IITs face the heat as protest over student deaths grows 
• Student group wants details of committee set up to probe IIT Bombay student’s death  
• It was not a suicide, my brother was killed, says IIT Bombay student’s sister  
• IITB student who ended life had spoken of caste discrimination on campus: Student group