The Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar is witnessing massive unrest following the tragic death of Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year B.Tech student from Nepal, who was found dead in her hostel room on Sunday evening. Her alleged suicide has triggered widespread protests, with students—particularly those from Nepal—accusing the university administration of a cover-up, insensitivity, and unfair treatment.
The protesting students have raised concerns about transparency in the investigation and the actions of university authorities in the aftermath of Prakriti’s death. According to her friends, she was being harassed by her ex-boyfriend, Advik Srivastava, which allegedly pushed her to take the extreme step. Her brother has also filed a formal police complaint against Advik, citing harassment as the primary reason for her distress. Following the complaint, police detained Advik and charged him with abetment of suicide under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Officials investigating the case have stated that Prakriti and Advik had a heated argument on the morning of her death, which might have been a triggering factor.
As news of the incident spread, hundreds of students gathered on campus, chanting slogans like "We Want Justice" and demanding accountability from the administration. Several students accused KIIT officials of trying to downplay the situation and failing to provide clarity on the circumstances surrounding Prakriti’s death. Tensions escalated when videos surfaced online, allegedly showing university officials making controversial remarks. In one clip, a woman is purportedly heard saying, “We are feeding and teaching over 40,000 students for free,” while another official shouts, “That is more than your country’s budget,” seemingly about Nepal. These remarks, though not independently verified by India Today, further fueled outrage among students, who condemned the administration’s attitude as dismissive and disrespectful.
In response to the growing agitation, the university called for police intervention, leading to the deployment of several platoons of officers on campus to maintain order. KIIT also released an official statement acknowledging the incident but suggested that Prakriti's death was likely linked to issues in her personal relationship, a claim that many students have rejected as an attempt to divert attention from institutional failures.
The situation took an even more controversial turn when the university directed all Nepali students to vacate the campus with immediate effect. Many students questioned the abrupt decision, arguing that they were given no time to make travel arrangements. “The university authorities are forcibly evicting us. For the past month, we have been complaining about the indiscipline on campus, but no one responded. How can we travel to Nepal in a single day without tickets?” a student told India Today over a phone call.
Reports surfaced that KIIT had arranged buses to transport some Nepali students to Cuttack Railway Station, while others claimed that security personnel were restricting them from leaving their hostels. Meanwhile, students from other states have expressed solidarity with their Nepali peers, with many joining the protests and demanding that the administration revoke the eviction orders.
As the protests continue, the demand for justice for Prakriti remains at the forefront. Students are calling for a thorough investigation into her death, action against those responsible for her alleged harassment, and accountability from the university administration for their handling of the situation. With tensions still high and no immediate resolution in sight, the KIIT campus remains a hotbed of unrest, and the coming days will be crucial in determining how the authorities respond to the growing outcry.
