Demand Justice for Prakriti Lamsal and Strengthen Harassment Policies at KIIT
Demand Justice for Prakriti Lamsal and Strengthen Harassment Policies at KIIT
The Issue
We bring attention to the tragic passing of Ms. Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year computer science student at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), in Odisha, India, on February 16, 2025. She had previously voiced distressing allegations of harassment and emotional blackmail against a fellow student, Advik Shrivastava. Despite her pleas, there was a lack of substantial action from the institution. Such negligence from authorities is inexcusable. This highlights the dire need for stronger mechanisms to safeguard students against such deplorable actions. Every student has a right to feel safe and be heard in their place of education.
Universities globally have seen alarming rates of harassment, with approximately 62% of university students reporting some form of harassment during their academic journey (source: National Union of Students). Therefore, this goes beyond being just a regional matter and concerns the safety and welfare of students across the country and world.
Through this petition, we urge KIIT and other higher-learning institutions across the globe to take concrete steps to strengthen and enforce anti-harassment policies within their communities. Further, we ask for a thorough investigation into Prakriti's case to ensure justice is served.
We implore you to sign this petition and support the call for justice and policy change.
In the wake of the tragic death of Nepali student Prakriti Lamsal at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, significant concerns have been raised regarding the conduct of university staff and security personnel towards students.
Incident Overview:
On February 16, 2025, Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year B.Tech Computer Science student from Nepal, was found deceased in her hostel room, with initial reports suggesting suicide. Prior to her death, Lamsal had reportedly filed complaints against a fellow student, Advik Shrivastava, alleging harassment and emotional blackmail. Despite these complaints, no substantial action was taken by the university administration. Following her death, a voice recording surfaced, purportedly capturing Shrivastava verbally abusing Lamsal. Shrivastava was subsequently arrested at Biju Patnaik International Airport while allegedly attempting to flee.
en.wikipedia.org
University's Response and Allegations of Harassment:
In response to the incident, the university administration ordered all Nepali students to vacate the campus immediately, leading to widespread protests and criticism. Reports indicated that over 500 Nepali students were forcibly evicted, with allegations of mistreatment by university security personnel during the process. This action intensified unrest and drew sharp criticism from various quarters.
en.wikipedia.org
Disciplinary Actions and Investigations:
Facing mounting pressure, KIIT rescinded its eviction order and issued a formal apology. The university acknowledged the mishandling of the situation, terminated two security staff members involved in the evictions, and suspended additional officials pending further investigation. Odisha Police arrested five university staff members, including two security personnel, in connection with Lamsal's death. These arrests followed protests by hundreds of KIIT students demanding a thorough investigation and justice.
oneindia.com
Diplomatic Intervention:
The incident escalated into a diplomatic concern, prompting Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to intervene. The Nepalese government dispatched officials to Bhubaneswar to counsel the affected students and assess the situation. In response, Indian authorities assured the safety of Nepali students and initiated a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
outlookindia.com
Historical Context:
This is not the first instance of unrest at KIIT. In November 2018, violent clashes erupted between students from different departments following an alleged incident of sexual harassment. The university had to evacuate two hostels and deploy police forces to restore order. These recurring incidents have raised questions about the effectiveness of the university's policies in addressing harassment and ensuring student safety.
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The Issue
We bring attention to the tragic passing of Ms. Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year computer science student at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), in Odisha, India, on February 16, 2025. She had previously voiced distressing allegations of harassment and emotional blackmail against a fellow student, Advik Shrivastava. Despite her pleas, there was a lack of substantial action from the institution. Such negligence from authorities is inexcusable. This highlights the dire need for stronger mechanisms to safeguard students against such deplorable actions. Every student has a right to feel safe and be heard in their place of education.
Universities globally have seen alarming rates of harassment, with approximately 62% of university students reporting some form of harassment during their academic journey (source: National Union of Students). Therefore, this goes beyond being just a regional matter and concerns the safety and welfare of students across the country and world.
Through this petition, we urge KIIT and other higher-learning institutions across the globe to take concrete steps to strengthen and enforce anti-harassment policies within their communities. Further, we ask for a thorough investigation into Prakriti's case to ensure justice is served.
We implore you to sign this petition and support the call for justice and policy change.
In the wake of the tragic death of Nepali student Prakriti Lamsal at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, significant concerns have been raised regarding the conduct of university staff and security personnel towards students.
Incident Overview:
On February 16, 2025, Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year B.Tech Computer Science student from Nepal, was found deceased in her hostel room, with initial reports suggesting suicide. Prior to her death, Lamsal had reportedly filed complaints against a fellow student, Advik Shrivastava, alleging harassment and emotional blackmail. Despite these complaints, no substantial action was taken by the university administration. Following her death, a voice recording surfaced, purportedly capturing Shrivastava verbally abusing Lamsal. Shrivastava was subsequently arrested at Biju Patnaik International Airport while allegedly attempting to flee.
en.wikipedia.org
University's Response and Allegations of Harassment:
In response to the incident, the university administration ordered all Nepali students to vacate the campus immediately, leading to widespread protests and criticism. Reports indicated that over 500 Nepali students were forcibly evicted, with allegations of mistreatment by university security personnel during the process. This action intensified unrest and drew sharp criticism from various quarters.
en.wikipedia.org
Disciplinary Actions and Investigations:
Facing mounting pressure, KIIT rescinded its eviction order and issued a formal apology. The university acknowledged the mishandling of the situation, terminated two security staff members involved in the evictions, and suspended additional officials pending further investigation. Odisha Police arrested five university staff members, including two security personnel, in connection with Lamsal's death. These arrests followed protests by hundreds of KIIT students demanding a thorough investigation and justice.
oneindia.com
Diplomatic Intervention:
The incident escalated into a diplomatic concern, prompting Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to intervene. The Nepalese government dispatched officials to Bhubaneswar to counsel the affected students and assess the situation. In response, Indian authorities assured the safety of Nepali students and initiated a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
outlookindia.com
Historical Context:
This is not the first instance of unrest at KIIT. In November 2018, violent clashes erupted between students from different departments following an alleged incident of sexual harassment. The university had to evacuate two hostels and deploy police forces to restore order. These recurring incidents have raised questions about the effectiveness of the university's policies in addressing harassment and ensuring student safety.
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The Decision Makers
Petition created on 18 February 2025