Founded in 2011, Saathi has evolved into a vibrant, recognized LGBTQIA+ support group at IIT Bombay. Born out of the courage of a few students, staff, and alumni, Saathi’s journey has been one of resilience and hope. 

From organizing inclusive events like the annual queer festival Rangavali to fostering dialogues through initiatives such as "Spectrum Stories," Saathi has become a beacon of change in a college that, like many historic Indian educational institutions, can be reflective of the patriarchal norms and gender injustice that shapes society outside its walls. In advocating for acceptance, solidarity and policy reforms, Team Saathi advances its mission to build a just and inclusive world for their fellow students – and for the world beyond.

Note: These responses were provided collectively by seven members of Team Saathi, IIT Bombay, who preferred to remain anonymous. 

Abhinandan Dheiman: Could you share the story behind the formation of Saathi at IIT Bombay? Who were the people who started it, and how did it take shape? 

Team Saathi: Saathi was started by an informal group of students, staff, faculty and alumni in 2011. Since all LGBTQ+ folks on campus were closeted at the time, Saathi previously existed as an anonymous email list. In 2011, however, the editors of Insight, the campus newsletter, graciously (and boldly!) offered us a few minutes of stage time after their freshers’ orientation to introduce ourselves to the incoming class. Sexual orientation was an absolutely taboo topic at the time, and while this bonus “orientation” after the Insight orientation likely came as a shock to most, we were pleasantly surprised by the amount of positive feedback.

The IIT Bombay Public Relations Officer (PRO) at the time was a huge ally, and tipped off her friends in the media, who eagerly reported on the Saathi orientation. The prominence they offered Saathi’s story may in part have been for the shock value, but we choose to believe it was largely out of solidarity.

Once word was out about Saathi’s existence, there was no looking back. Visibility has always been a key roadblock facing LGBTQ+ acceptance, and over the years, an increasing number of visible “out” folks and proud, supportive allies has led to Saathi growing and blossoming as a warm, welcoming, non-judgmental campus space.

AD: How did students begin to connect with the organisation? What were some challenges and key moments along the way? 

TS: In the early days, Saathi was fortunate to have a few key, vocal supporters among administrators and faculty on campus. On the other hand, there was no organised opposition, perhaps because many opponents of LGBTQ+ acceptance found the topic too awkward to even discuss. However, word would often reach us about hushed hateful or mocking references to Saathi. Over a few years, many of Saathi’s early volunteers worked incredibly hard to organize, and over the hearts and minds of decision-makers that Saathi was finally able to win official recognition!

Some of us began attending Saathi events about a few months ago, and later joined the Saathi council in 2024. Our involvement with Saathi grew from a desire to make the IIT campus a more inclusive and welcoming space for queer individuals and to advocate for queer causes in general. We wanted to contribute to positive change in our society, and Saathi provided a platform for this work.

We believe that our primary goal is to support the queer community on campus by serving as a safe and welcoming support group where everyone feels free to be themselves. Beyond campus, Saathi's work is vital for two key reasons. First, as IIT Bombay attracts students from across the country who often go on to hold influential roles, their perspectives can significantly impact society. Second, as one of the nation’s leading institutions, IIT Bombay has the brand value and visibility to set a powerful example in fostering inclusive spaces for the queer community.

AD: Can you tell me about some ways in which Saathi supports students who are navigating their identities or facing challenges around acceptance and inclusion? I’d like to know more about specific solutions or interventions, if possible. 

TS: Firstly and most importantly, Saathi strives to foster an inclusive and welcoming space for queer individuals. We organize campus events that serve as gatherings for community members and allies alike. I believe that, in a society like ours, queer individuals often face challenges of isolation where their gender and sexual identities are stigmatized or looked down upon. Saathi’s community gatherings offer a safe platform for individuals to express themselves and provide a space where no one is made to feel unwelcome due to their sexual or gender identity. These gatherings also serve as focal points for community members and allies to form friendships, which are instrumental in creating a more inclusive campus environment.

In addition, Saathi organizes initiatives like “Spectrum Stories,” where queer individuals and allies share their personal experiences. Queer participants speak about their journeys of self-discovery, acceptance, and the struggles they have faced. This exchange not only strengthens the sense of solidarity and unity within the community, but it can also offer encouragement to those who may be grappling with self-acceptance.

We are also mindful of some limitations under which we operate. Only a small number of queer individuals on campus openly associate with Saathi, as they worry that attending Saathi’s events may inadvertently reveal their identities to others (mostly to Bombay students who are not part of Saathi). Aware of these constraints that arise from a society often hostile to queerness, we remain committed to creating spaces where queer individuals can freely share and experience the bonds of community and friendship. Additionally, the participation of allies in Saathi’s work helps communicate a message of solidarity and acceptance from non-queer individuals toward the community.

We also organize an annual queer one-day festival, Rangavali, which began in 2023 and received significant media coverage. Another key event we host is the Saathi orientation for the incoming batch at IIT Bombay each year. In addition, we arrange movie screenings and other activities. During Rangavali, the new council determines the event lineup, which includes creative activities like talent shows. We also invite organizations to conduct DEI workshops and have collaborated with Kashish Films for a film screening. Rangavali is open to everyone, though it depends on administrative approval. Additionally, we organize panel discussions featuring DEI activists.

AD: How does Saathi build relationships with the larger IIT network – not just students who aren’t part of it, but faculty, perhaps even families? Are there other organisations on campus or off-, with whom you can build allyship?

TS: We organize awareness programs on campus, with invitations sent to all students via official institute email. We strive to co-organize programmes with the Gender Cell on campus. Sexual harassment is a concern shared by both Saathi and the Gender Cell, allowing us to work together toward common goals.

The role of the Gender Cell is also critical, as it is the body responsible for initiating punitive action in cases of sexual or gender-based harassment. Saathi, committed to the protection of queer individuals on IIT Bombay’s campus, recognizes the Gender Cell’s role in preventing incidents of violence or harassment against queer individuals.

The Gender Cell at IIT Bombay is an official body dedicated to addressing homophobic or misogynistic remarks and supporting individuals facing such issues. Saathi collaborates with the Gender Cell on various occasions. At IIT Bombay, every student body is overseen by a faculty in-charge, who also serves as the SPOC for Saathi in the administration.

We receive collaboration invitations from queer student bodies across India, including IIT Delhi. While we encourage campus allyship beyond our campus, we are still in the early stages and are taking measured steps. We are actively seeking more collaboration opportunities.

AD: Do you think the corporate sector’s DEI initiatives can do more to support Saathi and other campus LGBT networks in India? What would be on your wishlist for businesses to do? 

TS: This would be a good thing about spreading awareness about Saathi. Like Godrej offers LGBTQIA+ internships, we want other organisations to also work as in this internship. Not just people from LGBTQIA+ community, bult allies can also participate in these internships or workshops and get to know what the culture is like in the corporate sector. In 2023, some of the team members attended a DEI event at Godrej In June 2023. If other organisations can organise more events/workshops for students, it would be beneficial for students.

These interactions would be also helpful for organisations. They would get a sense of what the young students want and expect. How the org can make the workplace more inclusive? This would be a win-win situation for all. Organisations can also foster networking among students- allies and from communities alike. 

AD: When you look back on Saathi’s journey, what do you think you’re able to do now that you could not do before? And going forward in the future, what do you hope to be able to do? 

TS: Given we are institutionalized now, that is, we have a seat at the table in the student council, it is easier to cross bureaucratic hurdles while organizing events. 

Saathi was established in 2011. We got institution recognition in 2019. After this people feel much safer and open. We are able to organise events easily. For Rangavali, it took years for approval. Once Rangavali happened, we got more recognition and students in IIT - B got to know about queer problems. It helped in generating awareness. 

We have many things left to do, like increasing our budget. Earlier we used to conduct events rarely, like 2-3 in a year. Now we organise events or meetups every month. We get venue approvals easily.

Going forward, we as a team are planning to implement more initiatives. After the completion of our tenure on the council, we would like to be engaged with the queer community, do networking and help them. Just tell them that they are not alone, they have student bodies to support them. We want to give them hope. People should not feel fear about their sexuality. They should know Saathi is safe. 

For the institute, we are aiming for gender-neutral washrooms. There should be a specially assigned psychiatrist for queer community on campus who will help in maintaining the mental well-being of e queer students in the campus.

AD: Has Saathi played a role in driving any institutional or policy changes, such as the introduction of Gender Neutral Hostels (TISS), the course on Queering Gender and Sexuality: Debates and Issues from India (IIT-D), or Gender Neutral Washrooms (AUD), which could serve as a model for other institutions in fostering a more inclusive environment?

TS: Though we haven't been able to yet have gender-neutral hostels or washrooms on campus and we hope to facilitate those going ahead, given its very nature as a group of the LGBTQIA+ members and allies alike, Saathi has helped forge a solidarity on campus. We are not gatekeepers. Anyone who believes in a just world is welcome! Saathi’s presence and active efforts in building a relationship with the Gender Cell, Hospital, and Student Wellness center over the years has played a role in us having a gender-neutral sexual harassment policy and gender affirming psychiatrists and psychologists on campus.

Many individuals who have been bullied have reached out to Saathi for support. We also collaborate with the Institute Student Mentor Program (ISMP), where senior students mentor juniors, and they have referred several queer cases to Saathi for proper redressal. While this isn't a formal policy, it’s an established approach for handling such issues.

AD: How does Saathi maintain relationships with alumni, and in what ways do former members contribute to current initiatives or mentor current students?

TS: Many Saathi alumni remain engaged with the group, despite some having graduated over a decade ago. A lot of us shed our insecurities and blossomed as adults on campus thanks to the presence of the supportive Saathi community, so the bonds many alumni share with the group remain strong. Over the past years, alumni have continued to participate both in on-campus and virtual Saathi events. Alumni also are very much part of Saathi's advisory board as well as they are always available to moderate events or suggest speakers for events.

We do face challenges in obtaining permissions for collaborations with external organizations, but partnerships with alumni are relatively easier to manage. In recent years, we’ve invited alumni to participate in events. If they are available for an in-person visit, we make sure to invite them. During the orientation, we invited past council members who shared their experiences and talked about their journey to IIT Bombay. These interactions inspire students to promote DEI within the institute. The orientation event, which is aimed at freshers, typically attracts 50-70 students.

Recently, we created a WhatsApp group for Saathi alumni, where we share opportunities like internships and other updates. This platform has been great for networking and makes it easier to communicate and keep alumni informed about Saathi’s activities.

AD: Looking ahead, how do you plan to expand your initiatives beyond the IIT Bombay community? What do you see as the future of Saathi?

TS: Saathi has been a pioneer in creating safe spaces and raising awareness around the issues of the LGBTQIA+ community in higher education institutes in India across students and teaching and non-teaching staff. We have facilitated the formation of similar spaces across institutes in the country and hope to do so in the future as well. We aim to collaborate more with other institute bodies to organize events together and build a larger solidarity between the community members and allies alike.

Saathi is the first queer group to be officially recognized by any IIT. Following Saathi’s establishment, several other queer groups have emerged across different IITs. Thanks to Saathi, students now feel safer within the institute. Throughout our journey, we have also provided mentorship to other student queer groups, offering guidance and support.

Image provided by the Saathi team. Interview by Abhinandan Dheiman.