Bhubaneswar: After the Congress’ Odisha Bandh call, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has also intensified its protests against the Odisha government over the death of Soumyashree Bisi, a student at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore, after a self-immolation bid due to alleged harassment by a senior faculty member.
Addressing a presser, senior BJD leader Debi Prasad Mishra announced a candlelight rally for Tuesday evening and plans to gherao Lok Seva Bhawan at 11 am on Wednesday. “Soumyashree sought justice for six months but was ignored. Her tragic death is unacceptable,” he said, adding that every attempt was made to suppress the matter.
The BJD also demanded a judicial inquiry by a sitting High Court judge and the resignation of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, holding them morally responsible for the incident.
“Who gave her the petrol? Who was recording her self-immolation attempt? Who were present in the principal’s chamber during the incident? Until a judicial probe is ordered, our fight will continue,” said senior BJD leader Sanjay Das Burma, demanding an apology from the government.
BJD leader Pratap Jena criticised the deteriorating law and order, pointing to rising crimes like rape and murder, and the lack of safety for female students. “She approached everyone, went to the police, tweeted to the Chief Minister and the Higher Education Minister, Balasore MP and MLA, but no action was taken during that time. Police also refused to accept her complaint,” he alleged.
Jena called for strict action against those responsible, from the Chief Minister to the Balasore MLA and the Superintendent of Police.
Speaking to the media, BJD leader Elina Dash had earlier accused the state government and police of covering up the incident, claiming the student had died earlier than officially declared. “They staged the entire drama because the President was going to come. They had a plan to take the body discreetly during the night,” she told ANI.
Soumyashree was declared clinically dead at 11.46 pm on Monday hours after President Droupadi Murmu and Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati visited AIIMS-Bhubaneswar to inquire about her health condition.
The second-year Integrated BEd student set herself on fire on July 12 afternoon after her complaint of sexual harassment against Samira Kumar Sahu, who headed the Bachelor of Education Department, went unaddressed. She had sustained 90-95% burns.
Meanwhile, the Odisha Pradesh Youth Congress members staged a protest near Ram Mandir Square in Bhubaneswar. They burnt effigies of the CM and Higher Education Minister, accusing them of failing to deliver justice to the deceased student.
Besides Odisha Bandh on July 17, the Congress has also made similar demands, while expressing unwavering solidarity with the family of the victim and people of Odisha.
