Northeastern University of US to confer posthumous degree to Jaahnavi Kandula

HYDERABAD: Following the tragic death of 23-year-old Indian Telugu student Jaahnavi Kandula, Northeastern University in Seattle has decided to grant her a posthumous degree. An announcement in this regard was made by Northeastern University chancellor Kenneth W Henderson on Thursday.

An officer of the Seattle Police Department (SPD) made callous comments about the death of Jaahnavi Kandula, a student from Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh. Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, Telangana IT and Industries Minister KT Rama Rao (KTR) and others urged the Union Minister for External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar to raise the issue with his US counterpart and ensure justice for the aggrieved family.

Reacting to the tragic death of Jaahnavi Kandula, Kenneth W Henderson expressed his shock. “Indian students on our campus have been deeply affected by this tragic incident and its aftermath. We stand by them during this tough time. We also hope that those responsible for this incident will be punished. The university has decided to posthumously confer the degree on Jahnavi and will be awarded to her family members,” he said.

In 2021, Jaahnavi Kandula went to the US for her higher studies. She joined Northeastern University to pursue her master's degree in information systems. Jaahnavi Kandula lost her life in January 2023 after she was struck by an over-speeding police car while she was crossing the road at a pedestrian crossing.