Nepali Student's Death at KIIT Sparks Outrage, Diplomatic Crisis

The KIIT Tragedy: A Nepali Student's Death and the Fallout

The death of 20-year-old Prakriti Lamsal, a Nepali student at KIIT University in India, is just heartbreaking. It's a story that’s sparked outrage, protests, and even diplomatic tension between India and Nepal. Prakriti, a bright B.Tech student, was found dead in her hostel room on February 16th, 2025. What happened? That’s what everyone’s trying to figure out.

Allegations of Harassment and a University's Response

According to Prakriti’s family, she was allegedly harassed and emotionally manipulated by a fellow student, Advik Srivastava. They say she reported it to the university's International Relations Office, but only received a warning. Seriously? An unverified audio clip and social media posts further fueled these allegations. It's all so incredibly upsetting, and the fact that Srivastava has since been arrested on charges of abetment of suicide speaks volumes. It just feels like there was so much that could have been done differently.

Protests, Eviction, and a Diplomatic Row

Following Prakriti’s death, over 500 Nepali students protested, blocking roads and accusing KIIT of negligence. And then came the truly shocking part: KIIT reportedly ordered all Nepali students to leave the campus, sending them to Cuttack railway station with, according to reports, little to no support. Videos of this forced eviction quickly went viral, sparking even more outrage. The insensitive remarks allegedly made by university officials? Honestly, who saw that coming? This whole thing spiralled so quickly.

Diplomatic Intervention and Government Action

This forced eviction exploded into a full-blown diplomatic crisis. Nepal’s Prime Minister condemned the university's actions, and the Nepali Foreign Minister spoke directly with the Indian Ambassador. The Indian Embassy reassured everyone about the Nepali students' safety and promised action. The Odisha government stepped in, ordering KIIT to let the students back on campus. KIIT reversed their decision, but the damage was done. The whole situation felt like watching a slow-motion train wreck.

KIIT's Response and the Ongoing Investigation

KIIT set up a 24/7 helpline for the students, but their initial statement blaming the suicide on a personal dispute between Prakriti and Srivastava was quickly and fiercely rejected by both the protesting students and Prakriti’s family. The Odisha government launched a high-level investigation. Police are poring over Prakriti’s electronics for evidence. It's a long road to justice.

What Now? Accountability and Systemic Change

Prakriti’s death is a devastating wake-up call. It highlights the desperate need for universities to take student harassment seriously. We need real, effective solutions, not just empty words. The ongoing investigation is crucial, but it's only the beginning. This case demands accountability, but also systemic changes to protect vulnerable students. We need to ensure that what happened to Prakriti never happens again. It’s a call for change that echoes far beyond the halls of KIIT University.