SUMMIT REPORT, Gangtok 04 Mar:
KIIT University, which was recently at the centre of a controversy which made national headlines because of the distasteful treatment of students from Nepal at KIIT’s Bhubaneswar campus, has informed that the university “identified staff members involved in committing excess to some Nepali students and promptly removed them from service.”
A KIIT press release, while sharing details of action taken at the official capacity by the university in the wake of a suicide by a student from Nepal on campus on 16 Feb, states that the distress and trauma caused by the death was aggravated by rumours circulated on social media.
The university details in a press statement: “Cases of emotional distress leading to suicides have become a concerning reality in educational institutions across India and globally. The loss of a young life is always tragic, but the situation at KIIT University was further intensified by the inability of certain staff members to manage it effectively. Handling student unrest is inherently difficult, and once emotions escalate, restoring order becomes a significant challenge. This was precisely the case in this unfortunate incident.”
The university staff, including some on senior positions, who mishandled the situation have been removed from service, the university informs, adding that after the initial confusion and miscommunications, the situation has improved at the campus and claims that more than 400 Nepali students have already returned to the campus, “satisfied with the action taken by KIIT and arrangements made for their safety.”
The release goes on to state that “while the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar of KIIT have issued public apologies, what remains deeply concerning is the continued negative campaign against KIIT, KISS, and its Founder.”
“It has become evident that the ongoing defamatory campaign is being fueled by a small group of individuals with personal or professional agendas,” the release contends, concluding with the appeal: “It is time to let peace prevail. Justice must take its course, and normalcy must be restored – for the sake of the students, the institution, and the greater good. KIIT has always stood as a beacon of education, progress, and global recognition. Let us not allow misinformation and misguided outrage to destroy something that has contributed immeasurably to Odisha and India’s progress.”
