Bhubaneswar: Amid the Odisha Bandh call by Congress over the death of a female student by self-immolation at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore, BJP leader and Parliamentarian Aparajita Sarangi on Thursday defended the Mohan Majhi government’s response to the incident.
Briefing the media at party’s state headquarters in Bhubaneswar, Aparajita listed out the steps taken by the government following self-immolation by the 20-year-old student, Soumyashree Bisi, on the college campus on July 12 afternoon due to alleged sexual harassment by her HoD and subsequent institutional neglect.
“The state government took the matter with all seriousness and initiated the required steps considering the prevailing circumstances. The accused professor was immediately suspended pending inquiry and was later arrested. The same day, the Higher Education Department formed a high-level committee to probe the matter. The probe panel submitted its preliminary report within 24 hours, on the basis of which the principal of the college was suspended and later arrested,” she said.
The case was also upgraded to abetment of suicide based on the preliminary findings of mental harassment.
The Parliamentarian further stated that the state government with all sensitivity announced to bear the treatment expenses of the student admitted to AIIMS-Bhubaneswar with 90-95% burns. “The Health Minister, Higher Education Minister and other BJP leaders stayed in touch with the family of the victim and she was provided treatment in consultation with AIIM-Delhi,” she said.
Aparajita said that the Chief Minister had instructed authorities to ensure the best medical care without delay including arrangements for airlifting her if required. “The CM directly went to AIIMS here after arriving from Delhi and held discussions with the doctors there. He also interacted with the family, ensuring them all support and justice for the young woman,” she said.
The CM visited AIIMS twice, once with President Droupadi Murmu, to enquire about her health, she said, in a jibe at the BJD president Naveen Patnaik, who she claimed never visited such victims of crime against women during his regime as the CM of the state.
Majhi also announced an ex gratia of Rs 20 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to the next of kin of the victim following her death. He also assured the family that the accused in the case will be given the strictest of punishment.
“In the last two days, the Higher Education Department issued a directive to all institutions, enquiring about the status of its earlier order on constitution/reconstitution of Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs). They were asked to make public the list of members in 24 hours. The department is continuously monitoring this process. The working of the ICCs have been reviewed thrice, including once by the President, in the last one year,” she said, stating that the steps are aimed at preventing such incidents in the future.
She asserted that FM College had a functional ICC.
Aparajita further mentioned about the Odisha government’s zero tolerance policy towards crime against women. “We are beyond hurt and distressed following the passing of the victim. However, the state government left no stone unturned in extending the necessary medical care to her. Further action against the accused was taken swiftly, and I can assure that justice will be handed out without fail,” she added.
The BJP further alleged that BJD and Congress leaders from Delhi are unnecessarily creating disturbances in the state while Odisha is mourning the untimely death of its daughter. “There is a way to put across the message to the ruling dispensation. I got delayed today due to the Odisha Bandh call by the Congress,” she said.
Aparajit questioned the Congress and BJD, which ruled over the last several years, over their failure to create an ecosystem to ensure safety of women in the state. “The BJP has formed a government for the first time in Odisha and has been working with a positive attitude to ensure progress of the state. The Opposition, on the other hand, is busy in a political blame game. It would have been better had they reflected on such incidents during their regimes before hitting the streets. These are only aimed at staying relevant in state politics and making it to news headlines. People will not appreciate this stance,” she added.
Mentioning an FIR lodged in Bhograi, she said that Soumyashree’s brother has moved police as the family is feeling unsafe due to BJD and Congress leaders and workers. “He has written to Bhograi police station IIC stating that they are being troubled by them. I would like to assure him that the CM is standing with the family and also all women of the state,” she said.
The Parliamentarian also mentioned about social media posts by activists of the Opposition parties, suggesting Soumyashree to attempt suicide to be shake up the college administration, which allegedly turned a deaf ear to her complaints. “Is it not instigation?” she asked.
Notably, the Opposition has been demanding resignation of the CM and state’s Higher Education Minister over their alleged failure to act on the student’s complaint and ensure her safety. She had tagged them in a social media post on July 1. It has also sought a judicial probe into the incident and enhanced security measures for women’s safety in the state.
While the 12-hour statewide bandh launched by Congress, along with seven other parties, have had a widespread impact across both urban and rural parts of the state, MG Marg in Bhubaneswar turned into battleground as BJD leaders and workers broke security barricades while attempting to storm Lok Seva Bhawan the previous day.