- By Raju Kumar
- Tue, 15 Jul 2025 11:48 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Odisha Girl Self-Immolation Case: A 20-year-old student from Balasore, who set herself on fire over inaction by the Fakir Mohan Autonomous College administration in a sexual harassment complaint, died at AIIMS Bhubaneswar on Monday night. Her death created a huge political stir in Odisha. Following her death, AIIMS Bhubaneswar on Tuesday morning saw a massive protest led by Congress and BJD leaders. Several protesting workers were detained by the police. Her death raises a big question on the apathy of the system in a case related to sexual harassment. Her body was taken to village in Odisha's Balasore district, where she was creamated in the presence of hundreds of locals.
Here Are The Highlight Of The Horrific Case
1. Delay In Action Caused Her Death: The girl had filed a complaint with the college administration on July 1, and next 10 days, there was no action on her complaint. Angered over the inaction, the victim resorted to an extreme step to self-immolate. She set herself on ablaze on July 11.
2. 'Organised Murder By The System': Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader and the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, alleged it was nothing less than an "organised murder by the system". Attacking the ruling BJP in Odisha, he Gandhi alleged that those who were supposed to protect her kept "breaking her".
ओडिशा में इंसाफ़ के लिए लड़ती एक बेटी की मौत, सीधे-सीधे BJP के सिस्टम द्वारा की गई हत्या है।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 15, 2025
उस बहादुर छात्रा ने यौन शोषण के ख़िलाफ़ आवाज़ उठाई - लेकिन न्याय देने के बजाय, उसे धमकाया गया, प्रताड़ित किया गया, बार-बार अपमानित किया गया।
जिन्हें उसकी रक्षा करनी थी, वही उसे तोड़ते…
3. Calls For Odisha Bandh: Eight opposition parties, led by the Congress, called an Odisha bandh on July 17 to protest the death of the girl. State Congress president Bhakta Charan Das said the bandh is being supported by eight parties, including the Left.
4. Rs 20 Lakh Ex Gratia For Family: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday announced ex gratia of Rs 20 lakh for the family of the college student, whose self immolation created a huge row.
5. Detention Of Protesters: On Tuesday morning, leaders of BJP and Congress gathered outside the AIIMS Bhubaneswar, following a student's death. They staged a protest outside the hospital, but police detained them to maintain law and order.
6. Demand For Resignation: Protesting BJP and Congress workers demanded the resignation of Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj over the inaction in the matter.
7. Allegation Against Police: BJD leader Elina Dash alleged that police are trying to cover up the case by protecting the accused. Dash, who also participated in the protest at AIIMS, said, "They officially declared at night that she is no more, but we knew she had died when she was 95% burnt. They staged the entire drama because the President was going to come. They had a plan to take the dead body discreetly during the night. We are fighting for justice. The police are the partner in crime and are protecting them in everything."
8. Arrest Of Key Accused: The state Higher Education department suspended the FM College Principal Dilip Ghose and HoD Samira Kumar Sahu. Sahu, the prime accused in the sexual harassment case was also arrested on Saturday, the day of the self-immolation.
9. Governor Takes Cognisance: Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati had sought a report from the state government on the circumstances under which a student resorted to self-immolation and steps taken to address the situation. His action came after leader of Opposition in Odisha Assembly Naveen Patnaik sought the Governor's intervention the Balasore student self-immolation case.
10. President Murmu Visits AIIMS: Earlier on Monday, President Droupadi Murmu visited the AIIMS Bhubaneswar and enquired about girl's condition.
(With PTI inputs)