KIIT University Suicide Case: A Tragic Reminder of Institutional Responsibility
The recent suicide of 20-year-old Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year B.Tech Computer Science student from Nepal at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), has sent shockwaves through student communities and beyond. Her tragic death has sparked serious concerns about the mental health support available in educational institutions and has brought to light the urgent issue of administrative negligence in addressing harassment complaints.
The Unfolding of a Tragedy
On February 16, 2025, the tragic discovery was made of Lamsal's body in her hostel room. While early investigations pointed towards suicide, the following developments only added to the sorrow surrounding this case. It came to light that Lamsal had previously reached out to KIIT's International Relations Office, reporting harassment and blackmail by a fellow student, Advik Srivastava from Lucknow. Unfortunately, it seems her pleas for help either fell on deaf ears or weren't handled with the necessary swiftness.
After her untimely passing, Srivastava was taken into custody on charges of abetting suicide. Yet, for many, this arrest felt like too little, too late. If only the authorities had acted decisively when she first cried out for help, perhaps this devastating event could have been averted.
Outrage and Institutional Response
Adding fuel to the fire was how KIIT initially reacted to the tragic event. Rather than focusing on justice and backing its students, the administration told over 500 Nepali students they had to leave the campus. This harsh move caused an uproar, drawing criticism from both students and Nepalese officials, who slammed the move as tone-deaf.
Things got worse when a video came out of a KIIT employee making nasty comments
Feeling the heat from Nepal's diplomatic pressure and backlash from numerous student organizations, KIIT took back its order to evict the students and suspended several employees connected to the incident. The university also put together a committee to look into the events surrounding Lamsal's death and how the situation was subsequently bungled.
A Wake-Up Call for Educational Institution
This heartbreaking situation highlights some serious problems affecting universities in India:
Failing to Address Complaints: Even though Lamsal reported being harassed, the university appears to have done very little in response. This raises doubts about whether student complaints are taken seriously at all.
Ignoring Mental Health: Universities can't just offer counseling services on paper and call it a day. They need to actively and proactively address mental health issues, making sure students feel secure and listened to.
Lack of Compassion from Administrators: The decision to kick out Nepali students after this tragedy showed a real lack of empathy from the university. Universities need to remember they're not just about grades; they're supposed to create a safe and welcoming space for everyone.
Urgent Need for Policy Changes: The Nepalese government has warned that if justice isn't served, they might stop issuing No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) for students planning to study in Odisha.
Conclusion
Prakriti Lamsal's passing is not just another news story—it's a harsh wake-up call about the deep-seated problems in our educational institutions. Universities need to do more than just say they care about students; they have to take real action to stop these kinds of heartbreaking events from happening again.
Things like mental well-being, student security, and the school's duty to act responsibly should matter more than how good the school looks to the outside world. Ultimately, no student should ever feel so alone and ignored that they think taking their own life is their only choice.
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