KIIT University row: Why Education Ministry is silent despite global outrage, ask students

The untimely demise of Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year B. Tech international student from Nepal, in the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) has escalated into a diplomatic issue and damaged the image of Odisha on the global stage.

Instead of handling the situation maturely as per law, the University has been accused of suppressing the matter and threatening students protesting for justice. Things took an ugly turn after Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli intervened and dispatched embassy officials to counsel affected students.

Why Is Education Ministry Silent?

Even as the incident has sparked national outrage, with students across India demanding accountability, several questions have been raised by students over the alleged silence of the Education Ministry. “Given the gravity of the KIIT University issue and its international ramifications, the Education Ministry should have responded immediately,” said a student.

Also Read: KIIT University threatening students not to give placements, alleges student amid unrest over Nepal girl's death

Allegations Against Achyuta Samanta

The controversy has reignited scrutiny of KIIT's founder, Achyuta Samanta, who has been accused of misusing power during his tenure supported by the previous Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government in Odisha. 

Critics allege that Samanta's rise from a laboratory assistant to an education mogul involved questionable land acquisitions and political influence. People from all quarters of life have called for a detailed probe into Samanta's dealings, including land acquisition and the circumstances surrounding the student's death.

Impact on Nepali Students:

The incident has had a significant impact on Nepali students. They feel unsafe and have either returned to Nepal or are staying in local hotels, refusing to return to campus until they are assured of their safety. Students fear they may not be given placements, leaving their future dark.

This incident has also raised concerns about the treatment of international students in Indian universities and the need for better support systems and grievance redressal mechanisms.