New Delhi [India], July 16 (ANI): Communist Party of India (CPI) General Secretary D Raja strongly condemned the death of a 20-year-old student in Odisha’s Balasore after she succumbed to injuries from a self-immolation bid, and demanded accountability from the state government and action against those responsible.
Speaking to ANI, Raja called the incident “shocking” and questioned the authorities’ inaction despite repeated complaints by the student.
“It is a very shocking incident. What is happening to women across the nation, particularly in Odisha? How could such a heinous crime take place after repeated appeals made by the student? The authorities and government did not take any action? Our party condemns this and demands that the authorities must be made accountable for such crimes. The state government should take responsibility. How are they treating our female students in universities? We demand strong action against the authorities and people responsible for the incident,” Raja said.
In contrast, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Manan Kumar Mishra accused opposition parties of politicising the tragedy.
“This incident is very unfortunate, but it is also very sad that the opposition is doing politics on it. The police have taken action and the reasons for the incident are being investigated. The Principal and the professor have been arrested. Such incidents happen every day in West Bengal, but the opposition remains silent on these,” Mishra told ANI.
Meanwhile, eight opposition parties, including the Congress, have called for an Odisha Bandh on July 17, demanding the resignation of the state Higher Education Minister and a judicial inquiry into the incident.
“Joint opposition has resolved that Odisha will be closed on 17th July,” CPI(M) leader Suresh Panigrahi told ANI.
According to police, the 20-year-old student of Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore had allegedly faced prolonged sexual harassment by the Head of Department (HoD). Despite filing a formal complaint and approaching the principal, her grievances reportedly went unheard, leading her to set herself on fire on campus last Saturday.
She was initially treated at Balasore District Hospital before being shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar, where she died on Monday from severe burn injuries, hospital authorities confirmed.
Following her death, the police arrested the college’s HoD, Samira Kumar Sahu, and Principal, Dilip Ghose, in connection with the case.
(ANI)
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