Students protesting at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) have issued an 11-point charter of demands following open mic sessions at the institute. The demands address several aspects of campus life, including food quality, hostel facilities, academic policies, security and student participation in administrative decisions, Hindustan Times reports.

The protest began after a second-year BTech student died by suicide on campus on September 18. The protesters have demanded justice in the case, including the arrest of a senior professor and an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death.

Over the past 20 days, the protest site has also become a platform for students to discuss wider campus-related concerns. Two faculty members have participated in these discussions.

According to Hindustan Times, among the demands is an independent audit of food quality and hygiene in campus messes. Citing a 2023 Right to Information (RTI) response, the students claimed that fewer than 40 per cent of those paying mess fees actually eat at the messes. They have sought more affordable food options, the removal of mess establishment charges for students who opt out of mess services and the reopening of the night canteen at Hostel 10.

The charter also calls for better hostel maintenance, a public mechanism to track complaints and greater transparency in the use of maintenance funds. Students have additionally sought affordable accommodation for visiting family members, as per Hindustan Times.

Another demand concerns the Credit Performance Index (CPI), which students say can restrict access to elective courses, clubs and student council positions. They have called for a review of such eligibility requirements.

The charter also seeks greater transparency in campus security practices, including private security deployment, frisking during examinations and CCTV surveillance.

Students have further demanded clearer disciplinary procedures, proportionate punishments and an appeal mechanism for decisions taken by the Disciplinary Action Committee.

The protesters have urged the administration to respond to all 11 demands individually, while calling for greater student participation in decisions affecting campus life, says the Hindustan Times report. They have said the agitation will continue until their concerns are addressed.