TV
The KIIT University administration, on Tuesday, issued a public apology for its mishandling of protests by students following the death of a female international student from Nepal. The matter also triggered allegations of misconduct and high-handedness of on-campus security officials, regarding which KIIT said that it ‘has terminated the staff associated with the recklessness’. However, students are not happy with the apology.
“The entire KIIT authority and staff are deeply saddened by the incident which happened on 16 February. Regarding our handling of the matter, the Vice-Chancellor has issued his apology. Additionally, the two hostel staff who had made disconcerting remarks have issued their apologies as well,” said Additional Registrar of KIIT Dr Shayam Sundar Beura.
'We Love Nepal Students': Here's What KIIT University VC Claims
A letter from the Vice-Chancellor stated, "We are extremely appalled by the untoward incident that took place on our campus on the evening of 16 February 2025. We are also regretful of the way some of us behaved with the agitating students. We love our students and have never done any disservice to them. The comments made by two of our officers are extremely irresponsible," it said.
It further read, "Although the comments are made in their personal capacity on the spur of the moment, we do not support their action. We have removed them from service. They too have apologized for their behavior. We too apologize for all that has happened and hereby tender our love and affection to all the students and people of Nepal. We love them as much as we love the people of India and the people of the world. Additionally, we are again appealing to our Nepali students to join the regular academics with immediate effect."
However, students termed the apology as a move taken under pressure. “The apology is too little, too late. We want a public apology. This has become a tendency of the university authorities to suppress things,” rued a student.
“Our demand right now and right here is we want a public apology from wardens Manjusa Pande and Jayanti Nath for the derogatory comments that they have made towards Nepali citizens, the country’s GDP and budget, and the students over here,” another protesting male student of KIIT stated.
What happened at KIIT University?
On Sunday, a female student from Nepal allegedly took her own life over mental pressure from a broken relationship. However, students sparked overnight protests, with many demanding transparency and handing over evidence like the deceased’s mobile phone and laptop, which they claimed could be tampered with.
Videos from social media showed security personnel using excessive force while a phone recording revealed claims of local goons entering hostels, assaulting students, and ordering Nepalese students to leave immediately.
Further, the audio clip of the phone call also alleged that Achyuta Samanta initially downplayed the incident, calling it “nothing serious”.
So far, two security staff have been fired while two hostel officials and an international relations officer were suspended pending inquiry.
Meanwhile, the deceased’s family and the Nepal embassy in New Delhi demanded justice, warning that the incident could strain India-Nepal relations. Additionally, KIIT University also took a U-turn on the matter and persuaded students to resume classes hours after forcing them to vacate the promises.
