The tragic death of Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year BTech student from Nepal, at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar has ignited intense protests and calls for justice across the campus, sparking outrage both within the student body and the public at large. On Sunday evening, Prakriti’s lifeless body was discovered in her hostel room, and initial investigations indicated that harassment by her ex-boyfriend, Advik Srivastava, was a significant contributing factor to her suicide. According to Prakriti's friends, the emotional distress caused by her ex-boyfriend’s actions had become unbearable. Furthermore, Prakriti’s father accused Advik Srivastava of emotionally blackmailing his daughter, a claim that added further fuel to the already raging fire of anger and grief within the Nepali student community at KIIT.
In the wake of the tragedy, over 500 Nepali students launched protests demanding justice for Prakriti and accountability for those responsible for her emotional distress. However, the situation escalated when videos surfaced showing university staff confronting protesting students in an alarming manner. The videos depicted two university officials making highly insensitive comments that quickly went viral. One of the officials reportedly shouted, “We are feeding and teaching over 40,000 students for free,” while another added, “That is more than your country’s budget.” The offensive remarks seemed to target Nepal, its people, and its government, causing widespread anger and backlash, not only among the Nepali students but also among the broader public.
The university’s reaction to the viral videos and the protests has only compounded the crisis. In an attempt to mitigate the damage caused by the derogatory remarks, Jayanti Nath, the joint director of the girls’ hostel and student affairs, released a video apology. In her statement, Nath expressed deep regret for her comments and emphasized that her intention was never to offend or insult Nepal. She claimed that her remarks were a reaction to comments allegedly made by the protesting students, who had referred to India as “corrupt” and “poor.” Nath clarified that her words were made to defend India in the heated exchange, not to demean Nepal or its citizens. Despite the apology, her explanation has failed to quell the anger among the Nepali student community and the wider public.
In addition to Nath’s apology, Manjusa Pandey, an associate professor at KIIT, also posted a video apologizing for her comments made on the night of February 16. Pandey admitted that her remarks were made in the heat of the moment and emphasized that they were personal views, not those of the institution. She expressed sincere regret for any hurt caused by her words, acknowledging that they may have deeply offended Nepali students and people of Nepal. Her apology, while heartfelt, has raised concerns about the need for better sensitivity training and understanding among university staff, particularly when dealing with sensitive national and cultural issues.
The situation further deteriorated when KIIT’s administration responded to the protests by allegedly attempting to forcibly evict some Nepali students from the campus. These actions triggered diplomatic intervention and raised serious concerns about the treatment of international students at Indian educational institutions. KIIT officials, including hostel staff members, were accused of mishandling the situation by evicting students involved in the protests and exhibiting unprofessional conduct. In response, the university took the step of suspending three staff members, including two hostel staffers, who were implicated in the eviction and mistreatment of students.
The university’s management, recognizing the gravity of the situation, issued a formal apology to the Nepali student community, offering condolences for Prakriti’s death and promising to take necessary actions to restore peace and calm on campus. In its statement, KIIT assured that they were “actively persuading” Nepali students to return to the campus, despite the heightened tensions. To facilitate this, the university also set up a dedicated 24/7 control room at its Campus 6 to assist Nepali students and ensure their concerns were heard and addressed. The hope was that this gesture would help to rebuild trust and ensure the safety and security of international students at the university.
Despite the efforts to resolve the situation, the incident has raised broader questions about the treatment of international students in India, especially those from neighboring countries like Nepal. The emotional and psychological toll that such incidents can have on students far away from home cannot be underestimated. For Nepali students in particular, this tragedy has highlighted not just the personal grief of losing a peer but also the challenges they face in dealing with cultural insensitivity and discrimination. Many Nepali students have expressed feelings of alienation and frustration, particularly in the aftermath of the university staff’s remarks, which many considered a betrayal of the values of inclusivity and respect that educational institutions should uphold.
The controversy has sparked a much-needed conversation about the responsibilities of educational institutions in fostering a respectful and supportive environment for students from diverse backgrounds. Universities must ensure that their staff are adequately trained to deal with sensitive issues, such as mental health, emotional well-being, and international relations. In addition, it is critical that institutions prioritize the safety and welfare of their students, particularly those who are away from home and may be vulnerable to various pressures. The tragic death of Prakriti Lamsal should serve as a wake-up call for universities to reassess their approach to student welfare, especially for international students who may already face added challenges in adapting to new environments.
The tragic death of Prakriti and the subsequent protests at KIIT serve as a poignant reminder of the need for greater empathy, understanding, and support for students, particularly those who come from different countries and cultural backgrounds. Universities must learn from this incident and take steps to ensure that such events do not repeat in the future. The responsibility lies with the university administration, faculty, and students alike to build an environment that is truly inclusive, respectful, and supportive of all individuals, regardless of their nationality or background.
