Protest erupted at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT University) in Odisha's Bhubaneswar district after a B-Tech third-year Nepal girl student committed suicide in the hostel room on Sunday evening, February 16. Prakriti Lamsal was found dead in her hostel room.
The police arrested three varsity officials and two security guards, and five students were charged under sections 115(2) (causing hurt to any person), 126(2) (wrongful restraint), 296 (obscene act) and 3(5) (common intention) of the BNS.
Amid a row over a Nepali student death, a purported video from the KIIT college campus went viral on social media in which heated argument between university staff and students. In a 2.3-minute video, two teachers can be seen and heard asking students to leave the hostel if they do not feel safe there. One of the teachers can be heard saying, 'go out where you feel safe.'
Further in the video, one of the teachers stated that the amount KIIT University founder spends on students' food, accommodations and free education is more than the annual national budget of Nepal. Several other videos have also resurfaced that purportedly show security personnel roughing up protesting students.
“Do not insult the founder of this university. The man is feeding 40,000 students for free. Such an amount would even be more than your country’s entire budget,” the two KIIT teachers can be heard saying in the clip.
After the video went viral, KIIT staff issued a video statement apologizing for their alleged remarks and hated arguments with Nepali students. The varsity also issued an apology on its official X handle.
"KIIT has always been a home to students from across the world, fostering a culture of inclusivity, respect, and care. We deeply regret the recent incident and reaffirm our commitment to the safety, dignity, and well-being of all our students, including our dear Nepali students," KIIT said in a statement.
Earlier, in the suicide case of a Nepali student, a 21-year-old student from Lucknow was arrested in connection with suicide after the victim's cousin alleged that he was trying to blackmail her.