TV
The National Students' Union of India (NSUI), a youth wing of the Indian National Congress staged a protest in front of Utkal University at Vani Vihar Square in Bhubaneswar, on Thursday, demanding the arrest of KIIT University founder and former BJD MP Achyuta Samanta and the withdrawal of the university’s deemed status.
Several protestors staged demonstrations, raised slogans and displayed banners against Samanta while bringing serious allegations against him as well as the Odisha police pertaining to the death of Prakriti Lamsal, a KIIT B. Tech third-year student who allegedly took her own life on February 16.
Why Is Odisha Government Silent On KIIT University Issue?
The agitators questioned the state government’s silence on the matter and wondered why Achyuta Samanta had not been arrested yet. They also held the Odisha police accountable for allegedly playing a part in the shifting of KIIT’s Nepalese students to various railway stations.
“KIIT University has damaged the reputation of Odisha. After being forced to go home, several students from Nepal are refusing to come back as they fear reckless behaviour from the institute. Achyuta Samanta must be arrested and held accountable,” said an NSUI member leading the protests.
He also warned that NSUI will intensify their protest if the government does not arrest Samanta or takes steps to revoke the deemed status granted to KIIT. Additionally, allegations of mistreating students after charging exorbitant fees were also part of the protest’s agenda.
KIIT University & Alleged Exorbitant Fees
“Fees for just one year of B.Tech studies cost Rs 3.5 lakh in KIIT. Despite this, they beat up students with the help of local goons. We appeal to all parents to watch the viral clips of campus security mercilessly thrashing students and then decide whether to send their students to this institute,” a protestor added.
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It is pertinent to note that the youth wings of Congress held similar protests and burnt effigies of the former BJD MP Achyuta Samanta on Saturday in front of KIIT University while raising similar issues. Additionally, Congress leader Tara Bahinapti accused the state government of ‘shielding’ high-profile figures.
