In a deeply disturbing incident that has triggered public outrage and political uproar, a 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, Odisha, died at AIIMS Bhubaneswar late on July 14, reported NDTV. The Odisha student, who had attempted self-immolation after alleged inaction on her sexual harassment complaint against a faculty member, succumbed to her injuries despite intensive medical care. The case has exposed glaring lapses in campus safety and internal grievance redressal systems.
What unfolded: tragedy after ignored pleas
The student, a B.Ed second-year candidate, had submitted a written complaint on July 1 to the college’s Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), accusing Head of Department Professor Samir Kumar Sahu of sexually harassing her. In her letter, she detailed repeated advances, threats, and coercion by the professor and clearly stated that if her complaint was ignored, she would be forced to take an extreme step.
The ICC reportedly promised action within a week. However, as no visible steps were taken, the student and several classmates staged a protest outside the principal’s office on July 12. In a shocking escalation, she poured petrol on herself and set herself ablaze during the protest. A classmate who tried to save her also sustained serious burns.
She was initially admitted to Balasore district hospital and then shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar. Despite round-the-clock treatment, ventilator support, and the intervention of specialists from AIIMS Delhi, she died late on July 14, with over 90% burn injuries and multiple organ failure.
Authorities act amid political pressure
Following the incident, Odisha police arrested Professor Samir Sahu and college principal Dilip Ghose. Both were placed under suspension. The Higher Education Department also formed an inquiry committee on July 12 to investigate the internal handling of the complaint. The state government has promised full support to the family, including coverage of medical expenses and legal proceedings.
The Governor of Odisha, Raghubar Das, demanded a detailed report on the incident. President Droupadi Murmu, who was present at AIIMS Bhubaneswar for a convocation ceremony on the same day the student passed away, visited the hospital’s burn unit and met the grieving family. She assured that justice would be ensured and personally followed up on the matter.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed his condolences and vowed that the guilty would not be spared. He directed immediate review of college-level harassment complaint mechanisms across the state.
Medical efforts and final moments
Doctors at AIIMS Bhubaneswar reported that the student was in critical condition from the time of admission. She had sustained 90–95% burns, along with severe damage to her lungs and kidneys. The team of specialists made multiple attempts to stabilise her with dialysis, antibiotics, and advanced care, but her condition continued to deteriorate. The hospital officially declared her dead at 11:46 pm on July 14.
Political fallout and public outrage
The tragedy has snowballed into a major political issue. Opposition parties have blamed the BJP-led state government for institutional apathy and systemic failure. The Biju Janata Dal lashed out with a scathing statement, accusing the government of turning “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” into “Beti Padhao, Beti Jalao.”
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi termed the incident as “organised murder by the system” and demanded that all those responsible be held accountable. Mass protests were held in Balasore, with students, civil rights groups, and political activists demanding stricter laws, faster complaint resolution processes, and better protection for women on campuses.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan visited the victim’s family and condemned the negligence. He promised a free and fair investigation and urged everyone not to politicise the incident, stating, “No one will be spared.”
Timeline of events
On July 1, the student submitted her written complaint. With no action from the college authorities, she resorted to protest on July 12 and attempted self-immolation. She was moved from Balasore to AIIMS Bhubaneswar the same day. On July 14, the student passed away. Later that evening, her professor and the college principal were arrested.
Why this matters
The Odisha student self-immolation case has highlighted the grim reality of institutional silence in the face of sexual harassment complaints. It raises urgent questions about the functionality of ICCs, the psychological safety of students, and the accountability of college administrations.
Immediate steps must include revisiting harassment redressal systems in all educational institutions, enforcing strict timelines for internal inquiries, and providing mental health support to complainants. The tragedy must not be allowed to fade into statistics. It must become a catalyst for systemic reform, so no other student is pushed to such a desperate act for justice.
Photo Credit: The Daily Jagran
