Student’s death after self-immolation over ignored harassment complaint sparks outrage in Odisha
‘Organized murder by system’: Rahul Gandhi
Bhubaneswar: The tragic death of a 22-year-old girl student from a college in BJP-ruled Odisha state has triggered widespread outrage. The student died after setting herself ablaze in protest over institutional failure to address her sexual harassment complaint against a college professor.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the B.Ed student at Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore died at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, after fighting for her life for three days with severe burn injuries covering over 90% of her body. She had formally accused her department head, Professor Samir Kumar Sahu, of sexual harassment on July 1. In her detailed complaint to the college’s Internal Complaints Committee, she described enduring months of abuse and threatening behavior from the professor. Despite being assured that action would be taken within seven days, no measures were implemented against the accused. The tragic incident unfolded on July 12 when the student joined fellow students in a demonstration outside the college gates. During the protest, she suddenly broke away from the group, ran toward the principal’s office area, and set herself on fire.
The family has said that college officials, including Internal Complaints Committee members and the principal, pressured them to withdraw the harassment complaint. According to the father, they were threatened with false criminal charges and potential arrest if they persisted with the complaint. The student’s mother demanded capital punishment for the culprits. “I have doubts whether my daughter set herself on fire or someone else did it,” she said.
The incident has sparked widespread protests, political debates, and urgent calls for comprehensive reforms in educational institutions to prevent such tragedies and ensure proper handling of harassment complaints.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi slammed the BJP government. He said, “This is not suicide; it is an organized murder by the system. Modi ji…India’s daughters need safety and justice.” He said the victim had raised her voice against sexual abuse but was “threatened, harassed, and repeatedly humiliated.”
The Congress and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leaders said that the the BJP-led state govt was attempting a cover-up. “The government with police help wanted to quietly take away the body at night,” said congress leader Yashir Nawaz. He added that the student moved from pillar to post to get justice, however, no one heard her. After failing in her fight against the system, she forcefully took this extreme step, he said. Elina Dash of BJD said the official death announcement was delayed to coincide with President Murmu’s visit. BJD MLA Snehangini Chhuria sharply criticized the government over the student’s death, saying the Modi govt’s slogan ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ has tragically turned into ‘Beti Padhao, Beti Jalao’ in Odisha. “No one listened to the victim, which is why she chose to self-immolate,” Chhuria said, calling the incident a glaring example of the deteriorating safety of women in the state.
The Congress has demanded a judicial probe as the victim’s death has become a flashpoint for broader concerns over women’s safety on campuses. “We will not stop until the Higher Education Minister and the CM resign,” said Elina Dash, warning of district-wide demonstrations.
This devastating case highlights systemic failures in addressing sexual harassment in educational settings in India. Incidents of rape and gender-based violence continue to be reported with alarming regularity across the country. Delhi is the most unsafe metropolitan city for women in India, recording on an average three rape cases daily.
