Bhubaneswar, 18 February (H.S.): Tensions at KIIT University following the suicide of a female student have led to disruptions in the Odisha Legislative Assembly. Congress MLA Tara Bahinipati has strongly condemned the actions of the university authorities against protesting students and has called for a judicial inquiry into the death of the Nepali student.

Odisha has faced international criticism for the actions taken by KIIT authorities against Nepali students who were protesting for justice for the deceased student. India shares a close relationship with Nepal, which contributes musk (Kasturi) to Lord Jagannath. However, the treatment of the protesting Nepali students by KIIT authorities is reprehensible. Approximately 1,500 students were expelled from the university and ordered to leave the campus. Videos of the crackdown on Nepali students at KIIT have gone viral, which deeply troubles me, as this issue concerns Jagannath culture and Odisha, said the Congress MLA.

Bahinipati urged the state government to intervene in the matter and stated that he would remain seated inside the House until a judicial inquiry is ordered into the incident.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda