Students allege physical force, and threats to vacate Bhubaneshwar campus following the "death by suicide" of a Nepali student that triggered massive protests amid growing outrage against University administration and calls for justice.
Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) Bhubaneswar is under fire after a third-year Nepali B.Tech girl student was found hanging to the ceiling fan in her hostel room on Feb 16, triggering massive protests by students demanding justice and action against the University administration for it's alleged role in pushing the student to take the extreme step to end her life.
Amid protests, the outraged Nepali students accused the administration of forcing them to vacate the hostel and remain silent instead of addressing their demands for justice.
The students claimed that university staff used physical force against those who resisted immediate eviction. Protesters also alleged that the deceased had been harassed for months by a fellow student, Advik Srivastava and that the administration ignored her complaints, pushing her to take the extreme step.
Adding to the growing outrage, students claim that KIIT issued a controversial notice on Feb 17, ordering all Nepali students to vacate the campus immediately.
“No train tickets or directions were provided. We were just loaded onto hostel buses, dropped at Cuttack railway station, and ordered to leave,” said a distressed Nepali student. Another alleged that staff members resorted to physical violence against those who hesitated to comply.
The university administration, however, maintains that the situation has been "handled" and that the decision to send Nepali students home was made to "maintain peace." But for many, the move is seen as an attempt to suppress dissent.
Meanwhile, protests erupted beyond the KIIT campus, with the student wing of Nepal’s Congress party staging demonstrations in Kathmandu, demanding justice for the deceased. On social media, outrage continues to mount, with calls for strict action against the university for its alleged negligence and coercion.
Widespread outrage
The horrific death of the young student at KIIT - ranked in the cohort of 601-800 in the Times Higher Education ‘World University Ranking 2024’ has sparked widespread outrage, raising questions about student safety and administrative accountability at the university.
Demanding a thorough probe into the incident, protestors alleged instead of taking steps to address their concerns, the administration was coercing them to leave the institute silently.
“I'm a nepali student at KIIT University, Bhubaneswar odisha. Even after the press release the hostel authorities are still threatening us not to come to our hostel. They are also using abusive language. I'm still sitting at bhubaneswar railway station from today morning.” a distressed Nepali student Priyanshu Sah wrote on X on Feb 17.
Th unrest escalated amid growing demands for action against institute administration.
“A tragic incident has unfolded at KIIT University, India, where a Nepali female student took her own life due to harassment & negligence. Instead of addressing the issue, the university is now reportedly using force, goons, & administrative power to deport thousands of Nepali students who protested against this injustice. Many students are being harassed and physically attacked. This is a grave violation of human rights and must be stopped immediately!” Jai Shah, a netizen posted on X.
His post evoked many comments with users demanding stern action against the administration accusing it of charging huge fee to Nepali students and yet failing to even provide the basic facilities and ensuring their safety.
The students demanded that the circumstances leading to the horrific death of the young student must be probed and the culprit awarded an exemplary punishment.
“Students from anywhere can’t be treated like this — the state has completely failed to protect its own. Since political appointments began, more unqualified people are become professors, lacking understanding of students' needs. Indian academia is worsening by the day.” Prof. Manish Patel wrote on X.
Meanwhile, Bhubaneswar Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Pinak Mishra said that Srivastava had been detained for his alleged role in abetting the suicide.
Suspect detained but unrest continues
Authorities have detained the accused, Advik Srivastava, for his alleged role in abetting the suicide. However, students demand a thorough investigation, not just into the harassment that led to the victim’s death, but also into KIIT’s alleged attempts to silence those demanding accountability.
As the crisis deepens, the university’s reputation faces serious scrutiny, with critics accusing it of prioritizing damage control over student safety and justice.
“The staff members entered the hostel, made us vacate, and even hit those who were not vacating quickly,” alleged a student from Nepal.
After repeated attempts a senior International Relations Department official finally responded to Education Post call. “I can not comment on the inicident,” he quipped before dropping the phone never to respond again.
Gajendra Budhathoki, a netizen posted on X, “We want to thank all our Indian friends, student organizations, human rights activists, and intellectuals who are raising their voices against the unfair treatment of Nepali students at KIIT University.”
“The fight for justice must be intensified. Look, Nepali students are being made to sign documents that make it seem like they left the college on their own accord after committing a crime. This is completely discriminatory and unjust. We appeal to all our Indian friends to create pressure for the strictest possible action against the college administration that has disrespected Nepal and Nepali students.”
Meanwhile an audio clip surfaced on social media, purportedly capturing a conversation in which the accused is heard verbally abusing and harassing the victim.
KIIT University Registrar Gyana Ranjan Mohanty said the victim had been in a relationship with the accused and she may have taken the extreme step due to a strained personal relation.
“Her room has been sealed, and her family has been informed. The police have arrested the accused,” Mohanty said.
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