Deerwalk controversy grows as notice triggers criticism on LinkedIn and Reddit

Deerwalk Institute of Technology (DWIT) has issued a public notice after what it described as “fake stories, reviews, photos, visuals, and misrepresented posts” started circulating on social media. According to the institute, the posts were designed to damage its reputation and misused the name of Rudra Pandey, one of DWIT’s founding shareholders.

The notice said that Pandey’s personal opinions and social media content had been taken “out of context in a misleading way.” DWIT dismissed the claims as “false, fabricated, and baseless,” adding that the matter has already been reported to authorities for legal action.

Reaffirming its principles, the college stated: “At DWIT, education means the foundation of young lives. It is about preparing Nepalese youths for real-world problems, applying technology creatively, and building solutions that matter for Nepal and the whole world. We stand firm on integrity, academic excellence, and transparency.”

Student frustration and online criticism (Controversy)

The announcement, posted on LinkedIn, quickly went viral, attracting hundreds of reactions and dozens of comments. Instead of calming tensions, it appeared to spark more criticism from students, professionals, and alumni.

Many commenters focused on Pandey’s earlier LinkedIn remarks about foreign-affiliated colleges in Nepal. Critics argued that such statements could damage graduates’ employment prospects and unfairly pit institutions against each other.

One LinkedIn user wrote that “students will end up suffering unnecessarily because of one person’s incompetence,” while another described the situation as a “circus” where student concerns were ignored. Some even called for Pandey to be removed from his position or for him to issue a public apology.

Affordability was another recurring issue. Several students and professionals argued that if DWIT wanted to stand for quality education, it should reconsider its tuition fees or expand scholarship opportunities instead of dismissing criticism.

Others were more direct, branding the notice itself a “joke” and accusing the institute of defending a figure whose personal comments had created division among Nepali students.

Calls for restraint and balance

Not all voices were critical. Some users defended the institute, saying that misinformation spreads quickly on social platforms and can unfairly damage reputations. They argued that the public should be cautious about unverified claims and that institutions have a right to protect themselves when content is misleading or defamatory.

Still, the majority of online engagement reflected frustration, disappointment, and distrust, particularly toward leadership figures linked with the college.

The controversy highlights a broader conversation about higher education in Nepal. For many students, the debate is not only about one person’s statements or one college’s reputation—it reflects deeper concerns over rising tuition fees, unequal access to quality education, and the long-term impact of institutional politics on young people’s futures.

As the dispute continues on LinkedIn and Reddit, DWIT stands by its official notice, while critics remain vocal about their discontent. The divide between the college’s defense and students’ frustrations suggests that the issue may not end with a single statement, but could continue shaping discussions around trust, competition, and responsibility in Nepal’s education sector.