FM College student’s death: BJD to gherao Lok Seva Bhawan today; Odisha govt directs staff to reach office early

The tragic death of a second-year B.Ed student from Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College, Balasore, who self-immolated after ‘repeated inaction on her sexual harassment complaint’, has triggered massive political outrage across Odisha.

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has called for a gherao of the Lok Seva Bhawan on Wednesday, demanding a judicial probe headed by a sitting Orissa High Court judge and a public apology from the state government. 

The deceased student had written to college authorities, ministers, and even central leaders, but her cries for justice went unheard. She succumbed to 95% burn injuries while undergoing treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar on Monday night.

Senior BJD leaders, including Debi Prasad Mishra, Sanjay Das Burma, and Pratap Jena, slammed the state administration, holding it morally accountable for the student’s death and seeking resignations of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj. “It is a complete collapse of the system,” they said.

In view of the protest, the Home Department has instructed all Lok Seva Bhawan staff to reach office early, by 9:30 AM, and the main gate will be closed thereafter. 

Special Secretary R.K. Sharma has written to all departmental Principal Secretaries to inform them of the directive. Enhanced security arrangements have also been made at Lok Seva Bhawan, Kharavela Bhawan, Rajiv Bhawan, and Krushi Bhawan.

Meanwhile, the Congress has announced to observe ‘Odisha Bandh’ on July 17, supported by Left parties and seven political outfits. Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee President Bhakta Das said schools, colleges, shops, and vehicular movement will be halted for a peaceful statewide shutdown in protest of the incident.