The tragic suicide of a Nepali student at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University has ignited significant backlash against its founder, Achyuta Samanta, and raised serious questions about the institution's governance.
The student, who was reportedly facing mental pressure due to personal issues, allegedly took her own life on February 16, 2025. This incident prompted immediate protests from fellow students, who accused the university of mishandling the situation and failing to provide adequate support.
Adding fuel to the fire, the university management ordered the evacuation of all Nepali students from the campus, prompting outrage among those affected. Students were reportedly forced to board buses and taken to the Cuttack railway station under chaotic conditions. "Several students from Nepal study at KIIT University, and all of them cannot arrange and travel by train on the same day. It is simply not feasible to vacate all of a sudden," one student lamented, criticizing the lack of proper management by the university.
Political leaders across party lines have condemned Samanta's handling of the crisis. BJD MLAT Tara Prasad and BJP MLA Babu Singh have both called for his arrest, arguing he played a direct role in the mishandling. Singh stated, "The incident has not occurred without his (Samanta's) instructions. KIIT authorities were involved in several land scams in the past. Lands of poor people have been fraudulently grabbed." The chorus for accountability intensified, with calls for a judicial probe echoing throughout the assembly.
KIT's response included public apologies and the dismissal and suspension of implicated staff members. The university's administration stated, "We are extremely appalled by the untoward incident... We love our students and have never done any disservice to them." Even as the institution voiced regret, students and their advocates remained unconvinced, urging for more substantial accountability.
The backlash against Samanta has not only stemmed from the recent events surrounding the student's death but has also reopened old allegations about his conduct during his tenure as the founder. Critics have long accused him of power misuse and questioned his land acquisition methods used to expand his educational empire. Accusations included shoddy treatment of tribal students and inadequate living conditions at the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS).
Further complicacy came from reports detailing how local goons allegedly entered student hostels and assaulted those protesting the university's actions. Videos and phone recordings captured this chaos, showing students being harassed and warned against documenting the events. One recorded call described the situation vividly saying, "15-20 goons were on each floor of the hostel. They checked our phones and asked us to delete any photos or videos of the incident." These serious allegations raise questions not only about campus security operations but about broader systemic issues within KIIT's administration.
Meanwhile, the Embassy of Nepal demanded thorough investigations and cautioned about the potential strain on India-Nepal diplomatic relations due to the handling of this incident. Protests have also spread beyond the campus, drawing national attention and participation as students across India rally for victim justice.
On the international front, the Prime Minister of Nepal has actively voiced concerns, indicating the government's commitment to opening diplomatic channels, signaling the importance of the issue.
Despite the growing discontent, Achyuta Samanta has yet to issue any statements addressing the serious allegations leveled against him. Instead, he has been seen interacting with students urging them to cease their protests, which some perceived as dismissive of their grievances. This has added to the perception of inconsideration and lack of transparency.
With political pressure building and accountability demands rising, Achyuta Samanta's future as KIIT founder remains uncertain. The situation serves as a stark reminder of the responsibility educational institutions have to their students and the potential repercussions of neglecting these duties. Protests continue outside the university and protests, feeding fears of recurrent mismanagement.
Reflecting on these developments, many are now calling the incident from the past week leading to politics, protests, and public outrage fittingly reflective of larger issues surrounding educational establishments, governance, and their impact on international relationships.
It is clear this matter is far from resolved. With demands for justice still ringing loud, the push for legitimacy and fairness at KIIT University grows stronger by the day.