Bhubaneswar: The late night postmortem of Soumyashree Bisi, who succumbed to burns at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar after an attempted self-immolation at Fakir Mohan (FM) (Autonomous) College in Balasore, has sparked a political furore in Odisha.
“This government is against Dalits and tribals. It has let down the young woman and her family time and again. Why was the postmortem conducted at night? Thieves sneak around in the dark to avoid detection. The body was brought at night so that no one would come to know flouting norms,” BJD MP Sulata Deo alleged during an early morning protest at AIIMS.
The party workers staged a demonstration as the mortal remains of the deceased student were being taken to the postmortem centre of the hospital.
Deo further stated that Soumyashree bravely fought the system. “All responsible, including the members of the interal complaints committee of the college, should be charged for murder,” she said.
A BJD allegation also met President Droupadi Murmu, who is on a two-day visit to Odisha. “It is shameful that atrocities are being done against women and tribals in Odisha…If such a thing is happening in the temples of education, then where would a woman go…When the President got to know about this incident, she showed concern…,” Deo had earlier told the media.
The 20-year-old student allegedly 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.
After the postmortem, her body was sent to her native village under Bhograi block Balasore, for cremation. A pall of gloom descended over the village as relatives and friends gathered to bid her farewell. Balasore MP Pratap Sarangi, district officials and others walked to the crematorium ground from the house of the student.
Meanwhile, Congress has given Odisha bandh call on July 17 protesting the failure of the justice redressal system in the state. The party workers had also staged a protest at AIIM earlier this morning following the death of the student and were detained by police.
The BJP, however, advised the Opposition to refrain from politicising the tragedy. “We are all grieve this unfortunate incident and this is no time for political blame games. The accused faculty member and principal have already been arrested, and the government is committed to ensuring justice for the victim,” Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida said.
