The suspicious death of a Nepali student at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in India and the mistreatment of Nepali students protesting the incident have sparked widespread outrage in both countries.  

Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year B.Tech student, was found dead in her hostel room in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, late Sunday evening in what has been reported as a suicide. She had allegedly faced harassment from her ex-boyfriend and had previously filed a complaint with the college authorities, which protesting students claim was ignored.  

On Monday, KIIT issued a statement —now widely circulated on social media—saying that Lamsal’s friends revealed she was in a relationship and that the male student’s involvement led to her tragic decision. The statement added that the man was apprehended at the airport and remains in police custody.  

NDTV , citing Bhubaneswar Deputy Commissioner of Police Pinak Mishra, reported that the police have lodged a case on the allegation that the male student abated her suicide.  

Tensions escalated as Nepali students at KIIT staged protests demanding justice. In response, the university issued a notice —now viral on social media—announcing the indefinite closure of the university for all Nepali students and ordering them to vacate the campus immediately.  

NDTV reported that authorities deployed two platoons of police personnel as protests intensified. Videos circulating online show KIIT authorities  making derogatory remarks and forcibly evicting Nepali students.  

A woman, reportedly a KIIT staffer, was heard saying, “Go to your country, you are not safe here,” while another justified the administration’s actions, stating, “You don’t even obey our founder… the man is feeding and educating 40,000 children for free… that might be more than the budget of your country.”  

Reports indicate that over 500 Nepali students were forced to leave the campus, triggering a diplomatic crisis. Viral images and videos reportedly show students stranded at Cuttack Railway Station, further fueling public anger.  

Many social media users in both Nepal and India condemned KIIT’s handling of the situation and the remarks made by its staff.  

“It’s disgusting to see the entire university and management standup against few helpless students. I request people to publicize the information of all these individuals making these remarks. The world needs to see these “educators” from KIIT,” one user posted on X .  

In a statement, KIIT defended its actions, claiming that the administration had engaged in over 10 hours of counseling and discussion to de-escalate the situation. “Despite our best efforts, some protesters refused to listen and continued to create disruptions, blocking main public roads and escalating tensions,” the statement read.  

However, following widespread criticism, KIIT later issued an appeal urging all Nepali students who had left or were planning to leave to return and resume classes.  

The Nepali Embassy in New Delhi released a statement confirming discussions with relevant authorities and emphasizing the need for an impartial investigation into Lamsal’s death. Concerned students and parents have been advised to contact the embassy via email at [email protected] or call +91 8929 601 925.  

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli announced on X that two officials from the Nepali Embassy had been dispatched to Odisha to support affected students. “Additionally, arrangements have been made to ensure they have the option to either stay in their hostel or return home, based on their preference,” he said.  

However, many Nepali social media users criticized the government’s response as inadequate. “JUST 2 OFFICERS TO COUNSEL 500 STUDENTS?? THAT IS ALL?? WE EXPECT BETTER!!” one user tweeted .  

Earlier in the day, tensions surfaced in the Lower House when Speaker Devraj Ghimire did not allow Lawmaker Sumana Shrestha to raise the Odisha incident during Zero Hour, citing a lack of prior permission.  

Nepali students also staged a protest outside the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, demanding justice for Lamsal and condemning the mistreatment of Nepali students at KIIT.  

Later, the Indian Embassy expressed condolences to Lamsal’s family and stated that it was in touch with both KIIT and the Odisha state government. “Nepali students in India are an important part of the strong people-to-people ties between our two countries. The Government of India will continue to take all necessary steps to ensure their well-being,” the statement read.  

KIIT later posted on X that it had opened a dedicated 24/7 control room at Campus 6 to facilitate the return of Nepali students. The university also set up a 24/7 helpline (+91 7847064550 & +91 7855029322) for support and guidance.  

“We urge all Nepali students to reach out for any assistance. KIIT remains committed to their safety and well-being,” the statement read.  

However, social media users pointed out that the university has yet to issue an apology.  

“The worst thing here is, the University @KIITUniversity seems to have released multiple press release. However, even after all this they are yet to apologize and that tells you a lot about how or what kind of people are running this University! I hope people stop going to this University. They don't even have the decency to accept their mistake and specially when it's a grave one. Racist arrogant Professors, crappy management and no sense of sympathy or a sense of being a human being!” one user wrote on X , using the hashtags #BoycottKIIT, #JusticeForPrakritiLamsal, and #JusticeForPrakriti.  

"Publicly humiliate Nepali students, subject them to bullying by their own faculty, and only pretend to care when faced with public outrage & demands for accountability, just for the sake of damage control. 

How not to run an institution lesson 101!! 👎" tweeted another user.

Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student organization affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has also demanded a thorough investigation into the case and protection of students’ rights.  

In a statement, ABVP condemned the university’s actions, saying, “The administration’s attempt to suppress students’ calls for justice in the death of a Nepali student is highly condemnable. Moreover, the directive ordering Nepali students to vacate the campus is not only unlawful but also a severe violation of human rights, directly impacting the strong ties between India and Nepal.”