The death of the 20-year-old student, who set herself on fire alleging institutional apathy to her complaints of sexual harassment, has sparked widespread protests across Odisha. The student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore had attempted self-immolation last week, reportedly after facing prolonged sexual harassment by her college’s Head of Department and receiving no response to her formal complaint. She passed away on Monday (July 14) while undergoing treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
The victim’s letters, ostensibly written before the self-immolation, reveal disturbing details of mental harassment, threats, and repeated appeals for help to authorities, all of which were allegedly ignored.
Opposition calls for Odisha Bandh
The Odisha Congress, supported by at least eight Opposition parties, has called for a statewide bandh. Streets across major cities remained empty, with shops shut and public transport off the roads. Security has been tightened, with police deployed in large numbers.
Visuals from various locations show protestors carrying party flags and placards, demanding justice. Speaking to reporters, Odisha Congress chief Bhakta Charan Das said, “This isn’t politics; it’s about standing with our daughters. Schools and colleges are no longer safe if action isn’t taken.”
Congress has demanded the resignation of the state’s Education Minister, the local MLA, and MP, accusing them of failing to protect the student and act on her complaint.
CPI(M) leader Suresh Panigrahi has called for a judicial probe, stating that no action was taken despite the victim reaching out to multiple officials, including the Principal and Collector.
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi spoke with the student’s father, offering support. He described the incident as a “wound to society” and accused the BJP government of institutional failure, calling it an “organised murder” driven by systemic apathy.