The self-immolation of a young woman student outside the principal’s office at Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore has ignited widespread outrage across Odisha, prompting strong reactions from both political leaders and citizens. This tragic incident, which left the B.Ed. student with over 90 percent burn injuries, is believed to be a desperate protest against continuous sexual harassment by a faculty member and the institution’s inaction in addressing her plight.
Odisha’s Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed his grief on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “A young student resorting to self-immolation inside one of Odisha’s premier universities is both shocking and deeply distressing. I fervently pray to Lord Jagannatha for her swift recovery from the grievous burn injuries… I urge the Governor of Odisha to intervene and ensure that the student receives the justice she so desperately sought.” His heartfelt message has spurred intense calls for accountability and highlighted systemic failures in the handling of campus harassment cases.
The victim, enrolled in the Integrated B.Ed. program, is currently in critical condition at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. A fellow student who tried to save her also suffered severe burn injuries. Classmates report that the victim had been mentally anguished for weeks, allegedly harassed by Dr. Sameer Kumar Sahoo, Head of the Integrated B.Ed. Department, who reportedly made repeated inappropriate advances and threatened academic repercussions if she resisted.
A classmate, visibly shaken by the incident, stated, “She was pushed to the edge. She tried everything before this.” Meanwhile, Odisha’s Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj condemned the event as “very unfortunate.” He assured the public that the incident is being handled with the utmost sensitivity, revealing that both the head of the department and the principal have been suspended, the accused has been arrested, and a high-level inquiry committee has been established to investigate the matter rigorously.
Minister Suraj, who visited the hospital, confirmed that the state government would cover all medical expenses for the victim and emphasized that she would receive the best possible care. He added, “I’ve spoken to AIIMS officials to ensure she gets the best possible treatment. The Health Minister and I will also meet her parents to offer our full support.”
Original Source: https://news.abplive.com/states/northeast/shocking-deeply-distressing-former-cm-patnaik-on-odisha-student-s-self-immolation-1787473
Category: Northeast
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Publish Date: 2025-07-13 13:08:00
