New Delhi: In a show of solidarity and growing outrage, students at South Asian University (SAU) in New Delhi held a candlelight march Monday night, demanding justice for Prakriti Lamsal, a Nepali student who died under suspicious circumstances at an Indian university.

Lamsal, a third-year B-Tech student at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), passed away amid allegations of negligence and misconduct. Her death has sparked concerns over student safety and accountability within academic institutions across the region.

The march, attended by over 70 students from Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and India, began with a moment of silence before demonstrators carried placards reading, 'Stop Violence, We Want Justice!' and 'No More Cover-Ups, We Demand Accountability!' The students called for an impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding Lamsal’s death, urging KIIT officials to ensure transparency and accountability.

"This isn’t just about one student-we’re standing up against a system that too often fails to protect its own,' said one student protester.

The tragedy has raised pressing concerns for the more than 1,000 Nepali students currently enrolled at KIIT, with many questioning the institution’s commitment to student safety. Allegations of a lack of proper investigation and suppression of details have only added to the fears and frustrations of those demanding justice.

The SAU students vowed to continue their advocacy efforts, emphasizing that their movement extends beyond this single case. 'We are committed to fighting for a safer and fairer system, not just for Prakriti but for every student studying away from home,' another participant added.

As the candle flames flickered in the night, the march sent a powerful message: silence is not an option. Calls for justice are growing louder, and students across South Asia are standing together to ensure that no tragedy like this goes unanswered.