The Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) – a premiere institution in Odisha – has been stinging since protests erupted on its campus after a Nepali student’s death by suicide in her hostel room. The issue further escalated after KIIT was accused of evicting a group of Nepali students. What added fuel to the already raging fire was a video of staff members having a heated exchange with the students from Nepal.<\/p>\n
In the viral video, a professor, identified as Manjusha Pandey, was heard saying, “We are feeding and teaching over 40,000 students for free.” “That is equivalent to your country’s budget,” another woman staff, identified as Jayanti Nath, was heard shouting at Nepal students.<\/p>\n
\n>Nepali girl commits S word
\n>Protests happening
\n>When asked, college authorities say they feed 40k students are fed for free and it’s greater than Nepal’s GDP??@KIITUniversity<\/a> is not a real institution pic.twitter.com\/SQtZN6NWm2<\/a><\/p>\n\u2014 Weil (@Jackyaarkyun) February 17, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The KIIT<\/a> staffers issued apology videos after their remarks triggered massive outrage on social media.<\/p>\n
Ms Pandey said her statements on the night of February 16 were made “in the spur of the moment”. “I want to communicate that whatever statements I made, are mine and have nothing to do with the KIIT university. If any of my statements have hurt the sentiments of any of my Nepali students or people of Nepal, I apologise for it sincerely,” she said.<\/p>\n
“I want to communicate that whatever statements I made, they are mine and have nothing to do with any of the KIIT university. If any of my statements have hurt the sentiments of any of my Nepali students or people of Nepal, I apologise for it sincerely (sic),” Ms Pandey said.<\/p>\n
\nApologies for hurting any of the sentiments of my students,brothers and sisters of Nepal@MEAIndia<\/a>@PM_nepal_<\/a>@DrSJaishankar<\/a>@PMOIndia<\/a>@MofaNepal<\/a>@IndiaInNepal<\/a>@EONIndia<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/0ftMLawxJZ<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 manjusha pandey (@MPandey40122) February 18, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Another staffer seen in the video, Jayanti Nath, also apologised and said her “intention was never to offend or demean anyone. “I deeply regret if my words caused unintended hurt to anyone’s sentiment. I want to emphasise that my words do not reflect the views of the university or any of the faculties. I am extremely sorry and apologetic for whatever has happened,” Ms Nath said.<\/p>\n
She, however, added the remarks were made in response to comments allegedly calling India and KIIT “corrupt and poor”.<\/p>\n
\n@MEAIndia<\/a>@PM_nepal_<\/a>@DrSJaishankar<\/a>@PMOIndia<\/a>@MofaNepal<\/a>@IndiaInNepal<\/a>@EONIndia<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/zPsRL0wNm8<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Jayanti Nath (@JayantiNath6) February 18, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
“My words were in response to statements made during the protest where my country and my institution were called corrupt and poor. In that heated exchange, my reply was made to defend against these remarks, not to demean Nepal or its people anywhere,” she added.<\/p>\n
KIIT also issued a public apology and said it has removed two of its officers from service for making “extremely irresponsible” statements. The institute, however, didn’t name the officers. “KIIT has always been a home to students from across the world, fostering a culture of inclusivity, respect, and care. We deeply regret the recent incident and reaffirm our commitment to the safety, dignity, and well-being of all our students, including our dear Nepali students,” it said in a post on X.<\/p>\n
\nLetter of Apology from the Vice-Chancellor, KIIT-DU<\/p>\n
KIIT has always been a home to students from across the world, fostering a culture of inclusivity, respect, and care. We deeply regret the recent incident and reaffirm our commitment to the safety, dignity, and well-being of\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/mJb1Zo9jGj<\/a><\/p>\n