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IIT Bombay Suicide: Renowned physicist, author and retired IIT Kanpur professor Harish Chandra Verma, famously known as HC Verma, has highlighted an 'unethical' examination culture among students. He made these remarks amidst the ongoing debate and protests following the death by suicide of Sahil Wakode, a second-year B.Tech student, on September 18.
Verma, known for his two-volume book 'Concepts of Physics', is a former professor of physics at IIT Kanpur. He completed his PhD at IIT Kanpur and has worked in the fields of experimental nuclear physics and physics education. According to IIT Kanpur, his teaching areas include classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, and nuclear physics. He was also awarded the Padma Shri for his contributions to science education.
Distress Over Unethical Practices During Exams
H C Verma described the recent case of an IIT Bombay student's suicide as very tragic. He emphasised that every life is precious and a premature death comes as a shock. He further expressed distress over IIT students engaging in practices during exams that he termed 'unethical,' noting that this is "not an isolated incident."
Verma also addressed the widespread trend of 'dummy' and non-attending schools, stating that such practices have become so common that 'no one feels ashamed of them anymore'.
Broader Systemic Issues In Competitive Exam Preparation
Verma’s observations extend beyond the recent incident at IIT Bombay; they also address broader questions regarding how students are prepared for competitive exams and the perspectives schools, parents, and the coaching system hold regarding academic success.
H.C. Verma’s Legacy in Physics Education and Research
The author of Concepts of Physics has dedicated decades to the field of physics education. His profile at IIT Kanpur highlights his contributions to physics education alongside his research in experimental nuclear physics, while his books are widely renowned for their role in preparing students for engineering competitive exams.
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Tragic Suicide of IIT Bombay Student Following Cheating Allegation
These remarks come amidst an ongoing investigation into the death of Sahil Wakode, a second-year B.Tech student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering at IIT Bombay. Wakode died by suicide on September 18 after allegedly being caught using a mobile phone during a mid-semester examination.
IIT Bombay stated that he had uploaded the exam question paper to ChatGPT in an attempt to obtain answers during the test. The institute maintains that no disciplinary action had been initiated against him.
The Mumbai Crime Branch is investigating the circumstances surrounding Wakode's death. Investigators are examining CCTV footage and other digital evidence to reconstruct the sequence of events that unfolded both inside and outside the examination hall. Recent reports indicate that the footage shows Wakode being questioned and escorted out of the examination hall, after which he returned to his hostel.