Odisha: Congress MLA alleges political shielding in KIIT Deemed University incident
Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati claims IAS, IPS officers' spouses work at KIIT, hinting at political influence in handling the Nepali student crisis
Bhubaneswar: Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati on Thursday stirred controversy by alleging that several wives of IAS and IPS officers are employed at KIIT Deemed University, hinting at political shielding linked to the recent turmoil surrounding the institute.
Bahinipati, while addressing media persons in the premises of Odisha Legislative Assembly, criticised the university’s handling of events following the death of a Nepali student, claiming it tarnished Odisha's image globally. He questioned whether political pressure was influencing the government’s response, suggesting that the employment of bureaucrats' spouses at the university might be a reason for the lack of arrests of key figures.
The controversy erupted after KIIT issued a notice on Monday, instructing all Nepali students to vacate its premises. The students were subsequently shifted to Cuttack railway station and told to arrange their own travel back home. This move sparked international concern, with the Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi and Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli expressing their displeasure. Following the backlash, KIIT Deemed University reversed its decision and urged the Nepali students to return, with Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi echoing the appeal.
Bahinipati questioned the absence of arrests of influential individuals linked to the institute, stating, “Our topmost priority is Odisha’s pride. The KIIT incident has hurt the sentiments of Odias and embarrassed us globally. I want to know if the government is protecting any key individual.”
He added, “KIIT Deemed University founder Dr Achyuta Samant is my friend. I have no grudge against him. But it is a question of safeguarding our state’s image and hence the state government must wake up to the situation and take appropriate actions against the culprits.”
On Tuesday, five people, including three directors and two security guards of KIIT, were arrested but were released on bail the same day. Meanwhile, the State government's high-level probe committee continued its investigation, and the Commissionerate Police took the accused, Advik Srivastava, into three-day custody.
Amid growing criticism, KIIT founder Achyuta Samanta has remained silent on the issue, adding to the mounting questions surrounding the incident.
