Odisha Assembly Unites: Nepalese Student Mistreatment Sparks Uproar

Odisha Assembly members condemned the mistreatment of Nepalese students at KIIT, demanding a judicial probe into a student suicide. Opposing parties staged a walkout over the response, with claims of negligence by KIIT and government inaction. Authorities assure corrective measures, emphasizing strong Indo-Nepal relations.

Members of the Odisha Assembly came together on Friday, crossing party lines, to denounce the reported mistreatment of Nepalese students at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT). This came after the tragic death of a 20-year-old Nepalese student, which opposition members have linked to negligence by the institution.

Despite the Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj's assurances of a thorough investigation, opposition parties—namely BJD and Congress—walked out of the session, demanding a judicial inquiry. Allegations were made that the state government's response has been influenced by political pressures, a claim that was strongly denied.

The minister assured that legal action would be taken following the investigation's findings and stressed that Nepalese students would be safe returning to campus. The state has committed to ensuring these students' well-being, including covering travel costs and addressing academic disruptions.