Nepal’s Parliament on Monday called on the government to initiate high-level diplomatic dialogue with India following the mysterious death of Nepali student Prisa Sah at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Odisha.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Devraj Ghimire, issued the directive after concerns were raised by lawmakers over the growing number of unexplained deaths involving Nepali students abroad. “The House is seriously concerned by the recurring deaths of Nepali students pursuing education overseas. I instruct the government to take urgent diplomatic steps with India to uncover the truth behind Prisa Sah’s death and ensure legal assistance to her family,” Ghimire said.
This comes a day after Nepal’s Upper House, the National Assembly, passed a similar resolution, increasing pressure on the government to act swiftly.
Prisa Sah, a first-year BTech Computer Science student, was found dead in her hostel room on May 1, just days before she was due to return home for vacation. Her death marks the second such incident at KIIT within three months. In February, Prakriti Lamsal, another Nepali student, was also found dead in her hostel, sparking protests by students who alleged harassment and negligence by the university administration.
Former Education Minister Devendra Paudel and independent MP Amresh Kumar Singh strongly criticised the government’s lack of urgency, demanding a judicial investigation. “Two female students from Nepal have died under suspicious circumstances in the same university within a short span. This cannot be a coincidence. The government must investigate whether there is a systemic issue,” Paudel said.
Singh also raised concerns over alleged discrimination based on the students’ regional backgrounds, stating, “Our daughters from Madhesh are suffering and dying, but the government is silent. This is unacceptable.”
In response, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed condolences on May 2, assuring that the Odisha Police are conducting a thorough investigation. “We remain in close contact with Nepali authorities, the Odisha government, and KIIT to ensure transparency and coordination. The safety and well-being of all international students is a top priority for the Government of India,” the MEA said in a statement.
More than 1,200 Nepali students are currently enrolled at KIIT, intensifying calls for both countries to work collaboratively to ensure the safety and protection of foreign students studying in India.
