Balasore student dies after self-immolation: The 20-year-old student of FM Autonomous College in Balasore, who attempted self-immolation in front of her college principal’s office on July 12, succumbed to her injuries late Monday night at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. Suffering from 90–95% burns and fatal damage to her lungs and kidneys, she was declared dead at 11:46 p.m. on July 14 despite continuous treatment by a team of specialists. She was cremated in her native village on Tuesday, with thousands mourning her loss and demanding justice.
Incident triggers political backlash
The incident has triggered a massive political backlash. Eight opposition parties, including the Congress, CPI(M), and BJD, have jointly announced an Odisha Bandh on July 17, demanding accountability. CPI(M) leader Suresh Panigrahi accused state authorities of ignoring the victim’s repeated pleas and demanded a judicial inquiry, resignation of the Higher Education Minister, and action against the local MLA and MP.
Odisha Congress chief Bhakta Charan Das echoed the demand, saying, “If even a little action had been taken, the girl wouldn’t have felt the need to end her life.”
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi slammed the BJP-led system in a post on X, calling the death an “organised murder by the system.” 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.”
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed “deep sorrow” and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 20 lakh for the family.
Former CM and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik said he was “deeply saddened and heartbroken,” urging the Governor to take strict action against negligent college authorities and officials in power.
What do we know about the Balasore case?
The student had accused Sameer Ranjan Sahoo, the head of the college’s education department, of repeated sexual harassment and coercion. According to her family and classmates, her formal complaints were ignored or suppressed by the institution, while she was threatened with rustication and academic setbacks if she didn’t stay silent. Even from her ICU bed, she recounted the threats and intimidation she faced.
Eyewitnesses say she took the drastic step of setting herself on fire in full public view, pouring petrol and igniting herself as a final cry for justice.