Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday spoke with the grieving father of the 20-year-old Odisha college student who died by self-immolation after allegedly facing prolonged sexual harassment by her teacher. Gandhi assured the family that justice would be ensured and condemned the incident as a “wound to the entire society.”
In a post on X, Gandhi said: “Spoke with the father of the brave daughter who lost her life in the fight for justice in Balasore, Odisha. In his voice, I felt his daughter’s pain, dreams, and struggle. Assured him that the Congress Party and I stand with them at every step. What happened is not only inhuman and shameful but a wound to the entire society. We will ensure in every way that the victim’s family receives full justice.”
The victim, a student at Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, had reportedly filed complaints about the sexual harassment but was ignored by the college administration. She eventually resorted to self-immolation on July 12 and succumbed to her injuries at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
The incident has triggered statewide protests, with the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) calling for a ‘Balasore Bandh’ on Wednesday to express outrage over the alleged government inaction. BJD workers burned tyres and blocked roads, demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj.
BJD chief Naveen Patnaik also slammed the government, calling it a “failed system” that ignored the victim’s pleas for help despite her repeated efforts, including writing to senior officials and meeting the local MP.
Patnaik posted on X: “This was not an accident but the result of a system that remained silent instead of helping. Struggling for justice, the girl ultimately closed her eyes.”
The case continues to draw national attention, with political leaders and citizens demanding accountability and justice for the victim and her family.
