A 22-year-old B.Ed student from Odisha’s Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, who attempted self-immolation after alleged inaction on her sexual harassment complaint against a professor, succumbed to her injuries late on Sunday (13 July 2025) night. The Odisha student had sustained over 90% burns and was battling for her life for three days at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
In an official statement, AIIMS said, “Despite adequate resuscitation and all possible supportive management, including renal replacement therapy at Burns ICU, she could not be revived and was declared clinically dead at 11:46 pm on 14/05/25,”
Complaints Filed By Student
The student had filed a complaint on 1 July 2025 accusing her Head of Department, Professor Samir Kumar Sahu, of repeated sexual harassment. Despite submitting a detailed letter to the college’s Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), no action was taken. She was reportedly assured that action would be taken within seven days, but the promise was not fulfilled.
On 12 July 2025, while protesting outside the college along with other students demanding action, the student reportedly broke away from the group and set herself on fire near the principal’s office.
The incident has triggered public outrage and political sparring. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed grief over the student’s death and assured strict action.
Police have since arrested the accused professor, Samir Kumar Sahu, as well as the college principal, Dilip Ghosh. The student’s father has alleged that both the ICC and the principal had pressured the family to withdraw the complaint, even threatening them with an FIR if they didn’t comply. The student’s brother also vowed to fight for justice.
Rahul Gandhi’s Allegations
Amid mounting criticism, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reacted to the incident, calling it “an organized murder by the system.” In a strongly worded post, he wrote, “The death of a daughter fighting for justice in Odisha is nothing less than a murder by the BJP’s system. That brave student raised her voice against sexual harassment – but instead of delivering justice, she was threatened, tormented, and repeatedly humiliated. Those who were supposed to protect her kept breaking her. As always, the BJP’s system continued to shield the accused – and forced an innocent daughter to set herself on fire. This is not suicide; it is an organized murder by the system. Modi ji, whether in Odisha or Manipur – the daughters of the nation are burning, breaking, and dying. And you? You remain silent. The country doesn’t need your silence; it needs answers. India’s daughters need safety and justice.”
ओडिशा में इंसाफ़ के लिए लड़ती एक बेटी की मौत, सीधे-सीधे BJP के सिस्टम द्वारा की गई हत्या है।
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…
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 15, 2025
What Is The Other Side Of The Story?
Several eyewitness accounts and social media reports have contradicted Gandhi’s statement, alleging that it was in fact student leaders from the Congress-affiliated NSUI (National Students’ Union of India) and BJCD (Biju Chhatra Dal) who harassed the victim. According to students close to the victim, the college principal allegedly dismissed her complaint after learning she was affiliated with the ABVP (Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad), the student wing of the RSS.
The harassment allegedly escalated after her complaint, with NSUI and BJCD activists accused of mocking her, questioning her character, and labeling her “unstable” and “attention-seeking.” Photographs and testimonies have also emerged showing the accused professor dining with NSUI leaders, fueling further anger and calls for accountability across political lines.
NSUI leaders went all out to bully the victim, mocking her, questioning her character, calling her unstable and attention-seeking.
She wasn’t unstable, she was unheard and humiliated by NSUI.
The accused even dined with NSUI leaders, yet Rahul Gandhi dares to blame the BJP… https://t.co/BdRpKsdfbP pic.twitter.com/HrWbH1bbyw
— Political Kida (@PoliticalKida) July 15, 2025
While Rahul Gandhi blamed the “BJP system” for shielding the accused, critics have pointed out the contradiction in his claims, highlighting NSUI’s alleged role in the victim’s social isolation and harassment.
(With inputs from NDTV)
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