Bhubaneswar, Odisha – The tragic suicide of a 20-year-old Nepali student at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University in Bhubaneswar has ignited a firestorm of protests and accusations, with the victim’s father alleging that the university failed to act on her complaints of harassment.
Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year engineering student, was found dead in her hostel room on Sunday, February 16th, 2025. The circumstances surrounding her death have prompted widespread outrage and calls for a thorough investigation.
Lamsal’s family has revealed that she had previously lodged a complaint with the university’s International Relations Office (IRO) regarding “misbehavior” by a fellow student, Advik Srivastava. While the university claims to have counseled both students and warned Srivastava, Lamsal’s father, Sunil Lamsal, asserts that this action was insufficient and that the university should have taken more decisive steps to ensure his daughter’s safety.
“Our daughter is gone, but we want to ensure that this doesn’t happen to any other student in the future,” Mr. Lamsal stated outside the AIIMS morgue in Bhubaneswar, where his daughter’s post-mortem examination was being conducted. “Students come here from far-off places to study, and such incidents should not occur.”
The allegations of inaction by the university have fueled protests by students, particularly those from Nepal, who claim that KIIT has a history of mishandling such complaints. They allege that the university prioritizes its reputation over the well-being of its students.
Adding fuel to the fire, reports have emerged of KIIT authorities evicting Nepali students from their hostels following the protests, further exacerbating tensions and drawing condemnation from Nepal’s Prime Minister, K.P. Sharma Oli.
“It has come to our attention through media and social media that a Nepali student has died in a hostel of KIIT University in Odisha and that Nepali students have been forcibly evicted,” Prime Minister Oli stated in a Facebook post. “The government is working on this matter through diplomatic channels and is in contact with the relevant authorities.”
The university’s response to the crisis has been widely criticized. While KIIT Registrar Jnyana Ranjan Mohanty confirmed that Lamsal had filed a complaint with the IRO, he maintained that the university had taken appropriate action by counseling both students. However, the lack of any written record of the warning given to Srivastava has raised questions about the university’s transparency and commitment to addressing such issues.
The police have arrested Advik Srivastava and charged him with abetment of suicide. However, the students and Lamsal’s family are demanding a more comprehensive investigation into the university’s handling of the complaint and its role in the events leading up to the tragedy.
The incident has cast a shadow over KIIT University, raising concerns about its policies and procedures for handling harassment complaints and ensuring the safety and well-being of its students. The university’s reputation, both nationally and internationally, is at stake.
As the investigation continues and protests persist, the focus remains on seeking justice for Prakriti Lamsal and preventing similar tragedies from occurring in the future. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for universities to create a safe and supportive environment for all students, where their concerns are taken seriously and prompt action is taken to address them.
The case has also highlighted the vulnerability of students from foreign countries who may face additional challenges due to cultural differences and language barriers. Universities need to be more sensitive to their needs and provide them with adequate support and resources.
The suicide of Prakriti Lamsal is a tragedy that has shaken the academic community and raised serious questions about the responsibilities of universities towards their students. It is imperative that KIIT University and other institutions learn from this incident and take concrete steps to ensure that such tragedies are never repeated.
In the wake of this tragedy, the voices of students demanding justice and change must be heard. Their protests and calls for accountability should serve as a catalyst for reforms in the way universities handle harassment complaints and prioritize the safety and well-being of their students.
The legacy of Prakriti Lamsal should not be just one of sorrow, but also one of change. Her untimely death should serve as a turning point in the fight against harassment and discrimination in educational institutions, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to learn and grow in a safe and supportive environment.
