KIIT tragedy: A clarion call for justice — and an indictment of campus values

The recent tragic events at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University in Odisha have cast a shadow not only over the institution’s reputation but also raised serious concerns about student safety, gendered assaults, administrative accountability and international relations. The death of 20-year-old Nepali student Prakriti Lamsal has led to widespread protests — and highlighted systemic issues in the university’s handling of harassment complaints and crisis management. 

On 16 February 2025, Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year BTech student from Nepal, was found dead in her hostel room at KIIT University, an apparent suicide. This incident ignited protests among the student community, particularly the 500-plus Nepali students enrolled at the university. They allege that Lamsal had been harassed by fellow student Advik Srivastava — who has since been arrested — and that the university administration had failed to take appropriate action despite prior complaints. 

The situation escalated when university authorities attempted to evict the protesting Nepali students, further intensifying tensions and drawing international attention. 

The case is deeply troubling, and the mistreatment of peacefully protesting students is a grave injustice.

Ensuring the safety and dignity of all, regardless of nationality, is paramount. Doxxing students for exercising their right to protest is authoritarian and reckless, endangering their safety. Universities should foster dissent, not punish it.

Alarmingly, this incident reflects a growing pattern of authoritarianism within Indian academic institutions. Recently, the Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) administration violated the privacy of students and endangered their lives by placing notices with their personal details across the campus — and indeed, accessible to outsiders — in an attempt to ‘name and shame’ them.

This increasingly authoritarian culture reflects a larger, more disturbing trend sweeping across India — the systematic erosion of democratic spaces. 

The demand that protesters seek permission from their oppressors is absurd.

Alas, Indian universities are increasingly turning into surveillance states, silencing dissent with fascist tactics. Protest is a fundamental right, not a privilege granted by those in power.

The tragedy at KIIT University is not an isolated event but part of a pattern where university administrations, under political and corporate pressures, resort to draconian measures to suppress student voices. The very institutions that should nurture critical thinking, debate and democratic participation are instead transforming themselves into establishments of oppression. 

Students who raise their voices against injustice, whether for better infrastructure, academic reforms or social justice, are often treated as criminals or ‘enemies of the state’, rather than the torchbearers of change. 

This trend has historical echoes. Throughout India’s post-Independence history, universities have played a critical role in shaping political consciousness and democratic engagement. From the JP Movement of the 1970s to the anti-CAA protests of 2019, campuses have often been the epicentres of resistance against authoritarianism. 

What we are witnessing now is a deliberate attempt to dismantle these spaces of resistance, replacing them with a climate of fear, intimidation and conformity. This erosion of academic freedom is antithetical to the very idea of a university — a space where diverse opinions clash, where dissent is respected and where the youth learn not only technical skills but also the values of empathy, justice and democracy. 

In the present instance, the university’s initial response to the crisis was marked by insensitivity and a lack of accountability. Reports indicate that Lamsal had approached the university’s International Relations Office (IRO) with complaints of harassment, but no formal action was taken against the accused. Instead, a mere counselling session was conducted and the matter was brushed aside. This negligence underscores a systemic failure to address serious grievances and ensure a safe campus environment.  

The situation deteriorated further when videos surfaced showing university officials making derogatory remarks about Nepal and its economy during interactions with protesting students. Such behaviour not only reflects disrespect for the international student community but also exacerbates the trauma of the grieving students.

The mishandling of the situation prompted a swift diplomatic response from Nepal, with Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli dispatching officials to Bhubaneswar and the Nepalese embassy in New Delhi, urging Indian authorities to ensure a thorough investigation and the safety of Nepali students.

This incident has strained our nations’ historically amicable ties and exposed the vulnerabilities of international students while raising critical questions about the culture of impunity within India’s institutions. The Indian government must now take a stern and vocal stand, demonstrating a firm commitment to justice, accountability and the protection of students. Such a response is not only a diplomatic necessity but a reflection of India’s values of inclusivity and hospitality (vasudhaiva kutkumbakam), reinforcing its moral leadership and strengthening its bond with Nepal. 

While certain additional aspects of the KIIT incident saw it blow up into an international relations crisis, abashing the Indian government, the pattern of negligence and violence proceeding hand-in-glove within educational institutions has become evident across India. 

In Kerala, on 11 February 2025, at the Government College in Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram, seven students were suspended for allegedly assaulting a first-year student during a ragging session, leaving the victim with severe injuries. This was the third such reported case in Kerala’s educational institutions in recent weeks, pointing to a pervasive culture of hazing and violence. 

Similarly, in Kolkata, the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital witnessed a grievous crime in August 2024 when a junior doctor was brutally raped and murdered within the hospital premises. 

The heinous act sparked widespread protests by the medical fraternity, demanding better security measures and justice for the victim — and again spotlighted the authorities’ disregard for student welfare.

These incidents underscore the urgent need for robust grievance redressal mechanisms, cultural sensitivity and administrative accountability in educational institutions. To prevent such tragedies, universities must establish transparent, accessible systems for reporting harassment or discrimination without fear of retaliation. 

• Regular workshops fostering mutual respect and understanding among diverse students and staff are essential. 

• Administrative officials must be held accountable, with independent oversight committees impartially investigating serious complaints. 

• Dedicated offices should address the unique needs of international students, ensuring their integration and well-being within the campus community. 

Only through collective action can we create educational environments that are safe, inclusive and conducive to personal and academic growth. 

More importantly, there needs to be a conscious pushback against the creeping authoritarianism in academic spaces. Students should not have to choose between their safety and their right to dissent. Universities must reaffirm their commitment to fostering democratic ideals, critical inquiry and social responsibility. 

By fostering a culture of empathy, accountability and respect, we can honour the memory of Prakriti Lamsal and ensure that such a tragedy never recurs. 

Beyond this, we must work towards reclaiming our universities as bastions of democracy, where students are empowered to speak truth to power, challenge injustice and dream of a more just and humane world. 

 Amal Chandra is an author, policy analyst and columnist. Follow him on X @ens_socialis