When Prisha Sah, 19, from Birgunj, Nepal, was found dead in her hostel room at KIIT University, Odisha, India, under strange circumstances, it sent shockwaves among all Nepalis. Barely three months earlier, another Nepali student, Prakriti Lamsal, had lost her life in a similar manner. After two Nepali girl students died in a short span, the university and Indian authorities have faced serious questions about the safety of international students, including those from Nepal. KIIT’s silence in the aftermath of Prisha’s death has been as disturbing as the incident itself. The KIIT authorities have so far declined to comment on the Nepali student’s death officially, despite hosting more than 1300 Nepali students. The strings of deaths at KIIT raise the suspicion of whether the reputed educational institution has turned out to be a death trap for Nepali students. Students have stated that no timely support was provided, and only after media coverage and diplomatic pressure did the university launch its probe on Prisha’s death, which, many fear, will end as a formality. More than 2000 foreign students are studying at KIIT, and their families back home are gripped with fear. The gravity of the shocking death of the Nepali student has also compelled our lawmakers, who, along with the speakers of both houses of Nepal’s Parliament, to call on the government to launch a full investigation and share findings with the public. Indian authorities have responded by stepping up investigations into the death, which, however, came only after public and diplomatic pressure.
While it is true that postmortem reports in Prisha’s case revealed no clear cause of death, that cannot be an excuse to stop thorough probe into the circumstances leading to her death. Without full disclosure and findings, suspicions against university authorities will only grow stronger. There was no known record of distress or concern from the dead student’s side. After young Prisha and Prakriti died under mysterious circumstances, the issue of the treatment of foreign students across India has come to the fore. For years, international students have spoken of being discriminated against and sidelined in matters related to security, welfare, and other facilities. Many foreign students in Indian universities felt they were at the bottom of the priority list. Such a situation hints that the authorities would not fully investigate or bring out fair reports on the death of two Nepali students. With the growing criticism against it, the Indian authorities must act to make it mandatory for its universities with international students to set up special cells to look after the safety and welfare of international students.
Gold rush
Meanwhile, following the death of two female Nepali students, the Nepali authorities must keep diplomatic pressure until full reports arrive. Maybe the government should temporarily discourage Nepali students from enrolling in higher education centers in India, particularly at KIIT University. The lives of all foreign students abroad are required to be protected at any cost. Both Indian and Nepali authorities should know that no parents want to send their wards abroad to fall victim to any distressing events. Ultimately, KIIT and Indian authorities owe Prisha, Prakriti and their families more than condolences, as both Prisha and Prakriti need justice and fair answers. Here, it is quite imperative for India to make its universities safe and welcoming destinations for international students. News reports coming from Odisha raise doubts about the intentions of the University and the state government of Odisha. Here, the Government of India has a role: take credible steps to investigate the tragic deaths of Nepali students, bring the guilty to justice and hold the University officials to account.
