Odisha: Who is responsible for the death of the student who died by self-immolation? Rahul Gandhi responds
#News Bureau July16,2025
Odisha Sexual Harassment: A 20-year-old student in Odisha died after setting herself on fire in protest against inaction on her sexual harassment complaint. Who is responsible for her death? Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has made a sharp statement.
Odisha Student Self-Immolation: 20-Year-Old Dies After Protesting Inaction on Sexual Harassment Complaint
A 20-year-old student of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, Odisha, passed away late Monday night at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. The student had attempted self-immolation on Saturday to protest the lack of action on her sexual harassment complaint. She had accused a college professor of sexual misconduct, but after no substantial steps were taken by the college administration or the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), she took the extreme step. The incident has sparked outrage across the state, with opposition parties launching strong attacks on the ruling BJP government. Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has also issued a sharp statement.
The Incident
The student was in her second year of a B.Ed course. On July 1, she had submitted a written complaint to the college’s ICC, accusing Professor Sameer Kumar Sahu, Head of the Education Department, of sexual harassment and threatening to ruin her academic career. Despite the complaint, no action was taken by the college authorities. In a state of despair, the student poured petrol on herself and set herself ablaze outside the principal’s office on July 12.
She suffered over 90% burns and was admitted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar, where she died at 11:46 PM on Monday. In a statement, AIIMS said.
Rahul Gandhi Blames BJP System for Student’s Death in Odisha
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took a strong stance on the tragic incident, posting a sharp message on social media platform X. He wrote:
“The death of a daughter fighting for justice in Odisha is nothing short of murder by the BJP’s system. That brave student raised her voice against sexual harassment — but instead of receiving justice, she was threatened, harassed, and repeatedly humiliated. Those who were supposed to protect her were the ones who broke her.”
Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP government of failing to ensure women’s safety and called the incident a grim reflection of a failed system.
What Was the Student’s Complaint?
In her complaint, the student alleged that Professor Sameer Kumar Sahu had been sexually harassing her for the past six months. When she refused to comply with his demands, he allegedly threatened to harm her. On July 1, she posted her complaint on social media, warning, “If I don’t get justice, I will die by suicide.” Her father later claimed that the college principal pressured his daughter to withdraw the complaint, and that the professor formed a group of students to publicly humiliate her.
Government and Police Action
Following the incident, Odisha Police arrested Professor Sameer Kumar Sahu. College Principal Dilip Kumar Ghosh was suspended and sent to 14-day judicial custody. The state’s Higher Education Department also formed a high-level committee led by Higher Education Director Kali Prasanna Mohapatra to investigate the causes of the incident, the professor’s role, and the college administration’s response. The Chief Minister expressed regret over the incident and promised strict action against the culprits.
Political Outrage and Public Protests
The incident has triggered a political storm in Odisha. Both the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Congress demanded the resignations of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Higher Education Minister Suraj Suryabanshi. Former CM and BJD leader Naveen Patnaik urged Governor Ganeshi Lal to intervene. Congress state president Bhakta Charan Das accused the BJP government of failing to protect women.
On Monday, BJD and Congress workers held protests outside the Balasore District Collector’s office and the Chief Minister’s residence.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) also took suo motu cognizance of the matter and directed the Director General of Police, Odisha, to submit an action report within three days.
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi Expresses Grief, Vows Strict Action
Taking to platform X, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi wrote:
“I am deeply saddened by the news of the death of the Fakir Mohan Autonomous College student. The government fulfilled all its responsibilities, and a team of expert doctors made every possible effort, yet her life could not be saved. I pray for peace to her soul and ask Lord Jagannath to give her family the strength to bear this irreparable loss.”
He also assured that those responsible will face strict punishment as per the law.
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