Bhubaneswar: With normalcy slowly returning to the campus, KIIT Founder Achyuta Samanta apologised to the parents and students from Nepal for the fiasco and urged those who left the university to return.
In his first public statement since the unrest on the campus on February 16 following the alleged death by suicide of a 20-year-old girl student in the hostel, Samanta said: “We are deeply saddened by the unfortunate incident that occurred on the night of February 16. I personally feel distressed, and we have taken action against some individuals involved and so has the state government. The university is functioning as usual, with students attending classes, including Nepalese students who chose to stay. I humbly request all KIIT students from Nepal to return and attend classes without any fear.”
He assured them of safety and academic stability. “There will be no impact on academics, campus placements, or discipline. I sincerely apologise to the parents of Nepalese students studying at KIIT. My dear KIITians, please come back soon—we are eager to see you,” added the video message shared on KIIT’s official X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday in which Samanta could be seen flanked by students and two Nepal Embassy officials.
His statement came shortly before he was summoned by the Odisha government’s high-level committee, which is investigating the matter.
Official Statement from Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT.@MEAIndia @DrSJaishankar @MofaNepal @IndiaInNepal @EONIndia pic.twitter.com/uqY56uDHH9
— KIIT – Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (@KIITUniversity) February 20, 2025
He was asked to appear before the committee Friday evening with “adequate documentary evidence” on actions taken by university authorities following the death of 20-year-old Prakriti Lamsal and subsequent protests, which led to a standoff between Nepali students and the university administration.
MEA IN TOUCH WITH ODISHA GOVT & KIIT
Addressing a presser on Friday, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of the Nepali student. We convey our heartfelt condolences. Govt of India accords high priority, safety, security and well Being of all international students in the country. MEA has been in constant touch with the Odisha government and KIIT authorities since the matter of the situation came to light. We have also maintained close contact with the Nepalese authority…”
