Tue Feb 18 18:59:09 UTC 2025: ## KIIT University Under Fire After Nepali Student’s Suicide and Subsequent Protests
**Bhubaneswar, Odisha –** The Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Odisha is facing intense backlash following the suicide of a Nepali student and subsequent protests on campus. The situation escalated after allegations of Nepali students being evicted and a viral video surfaced showing KIIT staff members engaging in a heated argument with protesting students.
In the video, two staff members, identified as Professor Manjusha Pandey and Jayanti Nath, made controversial remarks, with Pandey stating that KIIT’s free education for 40,000 students surpasses Nepal’s national budget. Both staff members have since issued public apologies, claiming their comments were made in the heat of the moment and do not reflect the university’s views. KIIT has also apologized, removing two unnamed officers from their positions.
The unrest began after 20-year-old Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year computer science student, died by suicide in her hostel room. Protests demanding justice for Lamsal led to clashes between students and security personnel, resulting in the arrest of two security guards on charges including wrongful restraint, obscene acts, and voluntarily causing hurt.
The incident sparked outrage in Nepal, with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli stating that his government is pursuing the matter through diplomatic channels. The Indian Embassy in Nepal has promised a thorough investigation. The controversy also ignited a political debate in Odisha, with the Congress demanding a judicial inquiry and the arrest of KIIT founder Achyuta Samanta. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) blamed the incident on worsening law and order under the BJP. The Odisha government has formed a three-member fact-finding committee to investigate the matter. KIIT has appealed for Nepali students to return to their studies.
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