I stand with Suryanarayan Doolla. I will not be a mute spectator to the brazen weaponisation of the 'SC/ST Act' to settle scores with a Professor who caught a student cheating in an exam. Until 18th September (the day of Sahil Wakode's death), there was not a single complaint from any student, either with the SC/ ST Cell of IIT Bombay or the administration, of any act of caste-based discrimination by this Professor. When the student unfortunately took his own life after being caught red-handed in the act of cheating, his parents came up with this theory of 'caste atrocity'. According to Sahil's father, the Professor subjected the student to "severe mental harassment and casteist slurs over the past three months". Where and how did Sahil communicate this information to his father? Is this revelation in the form of written text/ whatsapp message or an unrecorded phone call (which we can't verify because Sahil is not in this mortal world)? And the biggest question of all: Why did Sahil's parents not lodge a complaint with IIT-Bombay or the police and instead chose to let their son suffer for 3 months at the hands of this alleged 'casteist' Professor? Clearly, they are aware of the provisions of SC/ ST Act. Why did they not take any action? Was it because nothing like this has ever happened? But for 1 minute, I would have believed their version of events. But this part of the NDTV report got me thinking hard - "The complaint explicitly names Professor Suryanarayan Dulla, who was also an invigilator during the exam in which Sahil was caught cheating, alleging that he hurled caste-based abuses at the behest of Director Shireesh B Kedare." Wow. A professor at IIT-Bombay was conspiring with the institute's Director to bully 1 particular student from the SC community (out of 100s who study there), knowing well that one complaint from him would jeopardise their careers. When Sahil's father decided to lie with impunity, he should have worked alongside 'caste baiters' on social media to make his conspiracy theory believable, at least. Because no one with an iota of rationality is buying this narrative, except, of course, politicians and influencers whose existence is based on manufactured and exaggerated victimhood. In normal cases, a police complaint would have been filed for 'abetment of suicide.' But Sahil's parents know that a complaint under the SC/ST Act allows for 'preventive detention' without investigation. This is the fastest way Professor Suryanarayan Dulla could be sent behind bars. If you are one of those who are willing to stay silent because you believe that it can't happen to you, then be ready for a surprise in jail someday. Speak up against the brazen misuse of legislation that was intended to give justice to marginalised communities.