Site icon Bharat Times

KIIT Professor Apologises After ‘Feeding 40,000 Students For Free’ Remark Goes Viral, Suspended

BharatTimes
KIIT Student Suicide Row: The professor, who made xenophobic remark, has publicly apologised for hurting sentiments of Nepali people. (Screengrab)
Spread the love

KIIT Professor Apologises After ‘Feeding 40,000 Students For Free’ Remark Goes Viral, Suspended

Bhubaneswar: The ongoing controversy surrounding the tragic suicide of a Nepali student at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) has intensified after university staff members made controversial remarks, triggering further backlash. Following widespread protests and diplomatic concerns between India and Nepal, the institution has suspended two staff members for making xenophobic remarks towards students protesting on campus.

Incident Overview

The controversy began when Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year B-Tech student from Nepal, allegedly died by suicide in her hostel room. Her cousin later filed a police complaint, claiming she was being blackmailed by a fellow male student, Advik Srivastava from Lucknow. The accused has since been arrested and charged under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The police have also seized the victim’s mobile phone and other electronic devices for forensic examination.

The tragic incident led to mass protests by Nepali students, joined by members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), demanding justice for Lamsal. The unrest escalated into a diplomatic issue when Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli condemned the alleged forced eviction of Nepali students from KIIT hostels, urging the Indian government to intervene.

Controversial Remarks & Suspension of Staff Members

Amid rising tensions, a viral video surfaced showing KIIT staff members engaging in a heated exchange with protesting students. In the video, Professor Manjusha Pandey was heard claiming that the university founder “feeds and educates 40,000 students for free.” Another staff member, Jayanti Nath, added that the money spent on students was equivalent to Nepal’s national budget. These remarks were widely criticized as xenophobic and escalated tensions further.

In response to the backlash, KIIT suspended the two staff members and issued an official apology. The university stated: “We are extremely appalled by the untoward incident that took place on our campus on the evening of 16th February 2025. The comments made by two of our officers are extremely irresponsible. Although these comments were made in their personal capacity in the spur of the moment, we do not support their actions. We have removed them from service. They too have apologised for their behaviour, and we sincerely apologise for all that has happened.”

Official Apology & Diplomatic Concerns

Professor Pandey also issued a video apology, stating: “I want to communicate that the statements I made on the 16th night were mine alone and had nothing to do with any of the authorities at KIIT University. If any of my statements hurt the sentiments of my Nepali students or the people of Nepal, I sincerely apologise.”

The incident prompted Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to address the issue publicly. In a social media post, he said, “It has come to our attention that a Nepali student has died in the hostel of KIIT University in Odisha, India, and that Nepali students have been forcibly evicted from the hostel.” He further stated that Nepal’s Embassy in New Delhi had dispatched officials to support the affected students. Following diplomatic discussions, KIIT reinstated Nepali students to their hostels and assured them of their safety and security.

Legal Proceedings & Police Investigation

The Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police have confirmed the arrest of 21-year-old Advik Srivastava from Lucknow in connection with Lamsal’s death. “We investigated the matter and found prima facie evidence suggesting harassment, which could have led the girl to die by suicide. The accused has been arrested, examined, and forwarded to judicial custody,” stated Police Commissioner Suresh Dev Datta Singh.

Authorities are continuing their investigation, and the victim’s electronic devices will undergo forensic examination to uncover any additional evidence.

Conclusion

The tragic incident at KIIT has sparked widespread outrage, campus protests, and diplomatic intervention. While the university has taken disciplinary action against staff members for their remarks, legal proceedings are still underway to ensure justice for Prakriti Lamsal. The situation remains tense, with authorities closely monitoring developments to prevent further escalation.

 

Exit mobile version