Bhubaneswar: Former and current students of Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), along with the KISS Parents’ Association, have come forward to oppose a conspiracy allegedly being carried out by two specific television channels to repeatedly defame and shut down KISS.
In a press conference held today, students stated that after the recent unfortunate incident at KIIT University, these TV channels have now shifted their focus to attacking KISS as a soft target. Various organizations have strongly opposed and condemned this 22-day-long negative media coverage.
Over 40,000 tribal students have completed their education at KISS, and another 40,000 are currently studying there. The relentless negative coverage on baseless issues is resulting in mental harassment and distress to KISS students and their parents. Students and parents stated that in the last 33 years, their children have studied at KISS without any complaints against the institution.
They questioned why individuals who have never contributed to or cared about the well-being of tribal students are now attacking KISS. They alleged that this is a deliberate conspiracy to push tribal students back into illiteracy and poverty by tarnishing the image of KISS.
Particularly, OTV and its founder have been accused of persistently targeting KISS, raising concerns that such actions could jeopardize the future of tribal students.
Despite 22 days passing since the KIIT incident, OTV has continued to spread fabricated and misleading reports against KISS and its founder, making their negative intent evident. “OTV is determined to shut down KISS, but if tribals protest against OTV, will they be blamed?” the students questioned.
The students and parents have warned that if OTV does not stop spreading false news and issue an unconditional apology, 40,000 KISS students will march to the OTV office in protest. Additionally, 80,000 students from KISS and 800,000 tribal families across 15 states will launch a movement against OTV and its founder Baijayant Panda, ensuring that OTV reporters face opposition everywhere.
Tribals are peaceful by nature, but if mental harassment continues, they will be forced to demonstrate across all districts, seek legal action, and involve the media. They urged authorities to let underprivileged tribal children study in peace without external interference.
Meanwhile, students and parents have already informed the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, MLAs, and MPs of Odisha about their concerns.
Expressing gratitude to all well-wishers, they have sought to know from the Chief Minister of Odisha if they should continue with their education at KISS or be forced back into the forests due to such conspiracies?
