KIIT’s Dark Secrets: Student Death Raises Big Questions
The tragic death of a 20-year-old Nepalese student at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Bhubaneswar, has led to widespread protests and diplomatic intervention from Nepal. The student, identified as Prakriti Lamsal, allegedly took her own life in her hostel room following repeated harassment.
Diplomatic Response and Student Protests
The incident quickly escalated into a significant issue when Nepal’s Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli raised concerns over reports of Nepalese students being forcefully evicted from the university. He requested the Indian government to address the matter through diplomatic channels. Nepal’s embassy sent officials to Bhubaneswar to support affected students, ensuring they could either stay in their hostel or return home.
Meanwhile, protests erupted on campus, with Nepalese students demanding justice and accountability. They alleged that university authorities failed to act despite multiple complaints against the accused, a 21-year-old student from Uttar Pradesh who was later arrested. The Odisha government directed KIIT to allow the evicted students back into the campus and restore normalcy.
A Pattern of Negligence?
This tragic incident is not the first of its kind at KIIT. In recent years, multiple cases have raised concerns about student safety and mental health support on campus:
- 2023: A female student from Uttar Pradesh allegedly died by suicide, with an investigation initiated at the Infocity police station.
- 2022: A first-year B.Tech student from Bihar died after falling from the fifth floor of a hostel building. Protests followed, with allegations of inadequate mental health support.
- 2021: Two student deaths were reported—one by suspected suicide in a hostel room and another in a road accident near the campus.
- 2016: Students protested against the alleged molestation of a female student from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) located within KIIT’s premises. Security personnel were accused of failing to intervene.
These recurring incidents have intensified concerns over the university’s approach to student well-being and mental health services. Students have consistently demanded better support systems, transparent investigations, and increased safety measures on campus.
Need for Stronger Student Support Systems
The latest incident has reignited discussions about the lack of adequate mental health resources at KIIT. With over 27,000 students, including 2,000 international students from 65 countries, many feel that timely counselling and preventive measures could help avoid such tragedies.
Moving forward, student activists and concerned individuals are urging the university administration to take substantial steps toward improving safety, ensuring prompt action on complaints, and providing comprehensive mental health support.
As investigations continue, the focus remains on ensuring justice for the deceased student and preventing such incidents in the future.
Source: Inputs from various media Sources
Priya Bairagi
Reviewed by Dr Aarti Nehra (MBBS, MMST)
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
