ABVP and Odisha BJP Prevent Diplomatic Crisis After KIIT Suicide
Quick Response from ABVP
Before the tragic suicide of 20-year-old Nepali student Prakriti Lamsal at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University in Odisha escalated into an international crisis, India’s government acted quickly. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the RSS student wing, and the state BJP were instrumental in managing the situation.
ABVP’s Clear Brief
ABVP quickly issued directives to its Odisha unit, instructing them to protect Nepali students, demand action against those responsible, and begin protests. By Monday afternoon, ABVP activists had already executed these tasks. The objective was to ensure the safety of Nepali students in Odisha and to maintain a positive public image.
Support for Affected Students
Budhadeb Bag, ABVP’s state organizing secretary, personally reached out to Nepali students who were evicted by KIIT. This eviction was later reversed. ABVP also provided contact numbers for Nepali students to seek help, ensuring they had support during this time of crisis. Also: Trump says no one can challenge him on India’s reciprocal tariff.
Protests Erupt Following Suicide
After Lamsal’s death, over 500 Nepali students protested, accusing KIIT of ignoring her complaints. They claimed she was harassed and blackmailed by a fellow student, Advik Srivastava, who was arrested. The university asked all Nepali students to vacate the campus on February 17, leaving them with no place to stay. ABVP stepped in, organizing protests and bike rallies in Bhubaneswar, demanding action against the university.
National Attention and Leadership Involvement
Virendra Solanki, ABVP’s national general secretary, urged the ministries of education and home affairs to intervene. By Tuesday, arrests were made, and protests by ABVP spread to other parts of Odisha. Swetanshu Barai, ABVP’s state secretary, led a ‘Mashaal’ march in Sambalpur, amplifying the issue.
Support from Odisha BJP
The Odisha BJP also aligned itself with the students. BJP MLAs, like Babu Singh, raised the matter in the Odisha assembly, calling for the arrest of KIIT founder Achyuta Samanta. Odisha’s higher education minister, Suryabanshi Suraj, voiced his support for the students and questioned why Nepali students were de-boarded at Cuttack railway station without proper notification to the government.
Diplomatic Embarrassment Avoided
Thanks to the coordinated efforts of ABVP and Odisha BJP, India narrowly avoided a diplomatic embarrassment. The administration responded swiftly, charging five KIIT staff members with various offenses. Advik Srivastava was arrested for abetting the suicide.
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