Students from Nepal at Odisha’s KIIT University gather outside after they were asked to leave following the death of a student, on February 17, 2025 in Cuttack, Odisha
| Photo Credit: Special arrangement
More than 500 Nepali students were forced to leave the campus of a private university in Bhubaneswar after tensions flared up following the alleged suicide of a girl student from Nepal on Monday (February 17, 2025). It also triggered a diplomatic crisis.
The Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), a Deemed to be University, immediately closed sine die for all Nepali students. It left behind busloads of Nepali students at the Cuttack railway station, 30 km from the institute. Many students, including girls, were left stranded at the railway station, with several lacking train tickets to return home.
The incident evoked sharp reactions from the Nepal government. “Our embassy in New Delhi has dispatched two officers to counsel Nepali students affected in Odisha. Additionally, arrangements have been made to ensure they have the option to either remain in their hostel or return home, based on their preference,” said Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, reacting on social networking site X.
The KIIT, which initially took a hard stance on the student issue, backed down following overwhelming condemnation on its reported highhandedness. It issued a statement stating, “To prevent any further untoward incidents and ensure a smooth and unbiased investigation, Nepali students have been advised to return to their respective places voluntarily with the help of local guardians until the local inquiry is completed.”
“The students are encouraged to return to the campus and will participate in the normal academics which shall be restored very soon. Their academic aspects will not be disturbed during this period and will be taken care of by the university. Accordingly, the temporary suspension of the academic classes and hostels is immediately withdrawn,” the institute said.
Earlier, a notice issued by KIIT said, “the university is closed sine die for all the international students from Nepal. They are hereby directed to vacate the university campus immediately today on February 17, 2025.”
According to police, a third-year B.Tech student from Nepal ended her life in her hostel room following suspected strained relationship with a male student from the KIIT on February 16. Following the death, students, particularly of the Nepali origin, took to the streets demanding the arrest of the boy responsible for abusing the girl, leading to her suicide.
“We had received a police complaint about the reported suicide of a Nepali girl student on February 16. We rushed to the hostel room and tried to pacify students who were agitated over the incident,” said Pinak Mishra, Deputy Commissioner of Police for Bhubaneswar.
Mobile phone seized
He said, “police seized the mobile phone and laptop of the girl. Evidence was collected by following procedures properly, which was one of the major demands of students. The girl’s body was preserved in mortuary.”
A clarification issued by Shradhanjali Nayak, Director, Public Relations of KIIT, says, “police had taken a male student — believed to have been in a relationship with the deceased — into custody for questioning. It is believed that the girl student may have taken this step following a personal dispute or issue between them.”
“The incident led to concerns among students from Nepal, prompting discussions with the university administration. Following talks, the students returned to their respective homes and the situation on campus remains normal,” she said.
Students were distressed as they lacked necessary tickets to return home. Some criticised the university for its alleged high-handedness in suspending Nepali students, who, along with their peers, were set to appear for examinations starting in the last week of February.
Nepalese students of the KIIT alleged that university authorities passed racist remarks during their protest. “We cannot reveal her identity. But one of the authorities said the amount spent by the university on students’ welfare was more than the national budget of Nepal. The statement has been captured on the video,” said a student, who was dropped at the Cuttack station.
Those in distress or having suicidal tendencies can seek help and counselling by calling: Sanjivini, Society for Mental Health, telephone: 011-40769002 (Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-7.30 p.m.) or by calling any of the numbers availbale in this link
Published – February 17, 2025 04:21 pm IST
