Death of 20-Year-Old Nepali Student at Odisha University Linked to Alleged Harassment by Peer, Say Classmates

A 20-year-old engineering student from Nepal, studying at a university in Odisha, was found dead in her dormitory under suspected suicide. Her classmates have revealed that she had been enduring harassment from a batchmate, which she had reported to the university administration. However, despite her attempts to get help, it appears that no action was taken to address the harassment or provide her with the necessary support.

According to friends, the bullying had begun early in the semester and intensified over time. The harassment allegedly involved personal attacks and deliberate exclusion from group activities, causing significant distress to the student. As an international student, she had few avenues for support and was left to navigate this ordeal alone. Her peers believe that if the university had taken her complaints seriously, she may have been spared from the emotional turmoil that led to her untimely death.

This incident has raised alarms about the failure of institutions to effectively address harassment and protect vulnerable students. It underscores the need for universities to prioritize the mental health of their students and provide clear and accessible pathways for reporting and resolving issues related to bullying. Furthermore, it calls attention to the challenges faced by international students in foreign academic environments, who may lack the resources to advocate for themselves.