Students of the KIIT University are seen at their campus protesting against the University authorities for justice for the Nepali student who died
| Photo Credit: BISWARANJAN ROUT

Legislators cutting across party lines on Friday (February 21, 2025) demanded strong action against the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), and its management over allegations of ill-treatment of Nepalese students following the death of a girl from the Himalayan nation.

The Odisha government also expedited its investigation into Nepalese students being singled out on the KIIT campus by questioning its founder, Achyuta Samanta. He, along with senior officials of the university, appeared before a high-level committee headed by Home Secretary Satyabrata Sahu.

The committee was mandated to ascertain the circumstances leading to the alleged suicide, the alleged “abuse of power” by university authorities, why notices were issued only to a specific group of students, and why they were denied entry.

Staff ‘removed’

Two women KIIT employees, Jayanti Nath and Manjusha Pande, who have been removed from the university, also appeared before the committee. They were accused of remarking that the money spent by the university on the students was higher than the budget of Nepal. “I will explain to the committee what happened that day,” said Ms. Nath.

In the Odisha Legislative Assembly, opposition members moved an adjournment motion accusing the government of lacking sincerity in their investigation into the student’s death and the subsequent student unrest on the KIIT campus.

Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati expressed surprise as to why no action was taken against Mr. Samanta. He demanded a judicial probe into the entire controversy surrounding KIIT University.

Nepalese ‘singled out’

“When there is any disturbance in the college, sine die is declared for the entire college. But why were Nepalese students singled out?” asked Mr. Bahinipati. The senior Congress MLA said there should be an investigation as to why so many IAS and IPS officers’ relatives were employed by the university.

Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Babu Singh accused founder Mr. Samanta of turning education into a commercial activity. He pointed out that Mr. Samanta’s fortunes had risen from receiving a salary of ₹800 in 1991 to becoming the owner of a ₹15,000 crore empire.

Responding to the MLAs, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said the Odisha government was taking the issue of Nepalese students being singled out in the sine die notification very seriously. A high-level committee was investigating, said Mr. Suraj, who condemned the incident saying it was unfortunate.

He informed the assembly that two officials from the Nepalese Embassy in New Delhi came to Bhubaneswar and met Nepalese students staying in the KIIT University hostel.

“I have had a detailed discussion with these two Nepalese officials in the presence of the Health Minister and the chief secretary. I have also met the students and promised that the State Government will help in every possible way,” said Mr. Suraj.