Bhubaneswar: A day after a girl student from FM (Autonomous) College in Balasore attempted self-immolation over harassment on campus, the National Commission for Women (NCW) on Sunday sought an action taken report from the Odisha government in three days.
“NCW has taken cognizance of a deeply disturbing report from Odisha, where a 20-year-old student of a government college in Balasore allegedly set herself ablaze after facing sexual harassment and academic threats by the Head of Department,” the post on its official X handle said.
It further mentioned that the student with over 90% burns is under treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
Condemning the incident, the rights panel has directed the DGP Odisha to ensure a fair and time-bound investigation, strict action against the accused and necessary medical and psychological support to the victim free of cost. “An Action Taken Report must be submitted to the Commission within 3 days,” it added.
Also Read: Odisha CM Meets Critical FM College Student’s Family, Pledges Justice & Best Medical Care
Meanwhile, the incident has snowballed into a major political controversy in Odisha, with former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik alleging that the young woman, Soumyashree Bisi, was denied justice at every level. Describing the incident as “shocking and deeply distressing”, he stated that her pleas for help–from the Principal to the Higher Education Minister, Union Minister and even the Chief Minister–went unheeded despite a desperate social media post on July 1, which he alleged subsequently forced her to set herself ablaze outside the principal’s chamber. He urged the Governor to intervene and ensure justice she so desperately sought.
Also Read: Naveen Patnaik Seeks Guv’s Intervention To Ensure Justice For FM College Student
Earlier in the day, members of the BJD’s youth and student wings staged a demonstration outside the Chief Minister’s residence, demanding justice for the 20-year-old.
Chhatra Congress members also gheraoed the residences of the CM and Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj. The Congress has formed an eight-member fact finding committee led by Meenakshi Bahinipati, which will visit FM College in Balasore and submit a detailed report to OPCC.
Odisha Congress chief Bhakta Das said that the party would launch protests, demanding proper investigation into the incident. “Women members of the paty to visit FM College tomorrow. The victim had informed one and all about the relentless harassment she had to endure. Why was her complaint taken lightly?” he asked.
Congress leader Sofia Firdous alleged that the Mohan Majhi government has been attempting to deflect the criticism and allegations that are being levied against it. “Time and again, this innocent girl raised the complaint… She had exhausted all measures having drawn the attention of the authorities concerned, including the CM, Higher Education Minister, the SP and Balasore MP. Unfortunately, she is also a member of the ABVP and this clearly shows that women of the party are not safe, leaders are not able to protect them. This also reflects poorly on the situation of women in the state, which is a matter of grave concern. I hope this is proof enough to awaken the state government over the deteriorating law and order situation. They should take proper remedial measures as demanded by the Congress party, which includes the appointment of a state women’s commission as well as a House committee and reforms in the system,” she told the media.
On Saturday, Congress spokesperson, Rajani Kumar Mohanty, questioned the silence of the Chief Minister over the incident. “Crime against women is increasing at an alarming rate in Odisha. Yesterday, Rahul Gandhi visited and said that every day 15 women are facing serious crimes and the state government is not paying attention… A student self-immolated due to continuous harassment by one of the teachers… Justice has not been delivered… Why are the Chief Minister and Deputy CM silent?… Why was there no inquiry?…”, Mohanty told ANI.
Earlier, state secretary of ABVP Odisha, Diptimayee Pratihari, had asked the Opposition to refrain from doing politics over the incident. “We had stood with Soumyashree, stage sit-in and also locked the college gate over the incident. After over five hours of discussions, the principal sought time and assured strict action against those responsible. The student wing of BJD had, however, supported the accused teacher. Now, the party is shedding crocodile tears over the incident,” she told the media.
She also sought action against the members of college’s internal complaints committee, which had submitted a report stating that it found no concrete evidence to support allegations of sexual harassment or demand for favours
THE INCIDENT & ALLEGATIONS
The student, Soumyashree Bisi (20) of Bhograi, took the extreme step in front of the college principal’s chamber on Saturday afternoon in protest against months-long sexual harassment by Head of the Education Department Samir Sahu, who was allegedly demanding favours from her over poor attendance, and the institute’s alleged inaction in the matter.
Bisi had met Principal Dillip Ghosh, who has now been suspended, on June 30 and sought action against Sahu. She also wrote to the college’s internal complaints committee on July 1, alleging that the HoD had been mentally and sexually harassing her for the last few months as well as demanding favours by threatening to fail her in the examinations. She even claimed that she had earlier attempted suicide due to the harassment.
When the matter was not resolved even after five days as assured by the authorities, she met the college principal again on the fateful day with her brother Soumya Ranjan and staged a demonstration outside the main entrance of the college when she failed to get any satisfactory response. At around 12.30 pm, she poured petrol on her body and immolated herself. Jyotiprakash Biswal, a Plus III first-year student, who was present at the spot, sustained injuries while trying to save her.
She had also posted her complaint on X, tagging the CM, Higher Education minister, Balasore MP, SP and Collector.
GOVT’S ACTION
The Higher Education department suspended both Sahu and Ghosh within a few hours of the incident. Sahu was later arrested by Sahadevkhunta Police. A three-member committee, comprising Higher Education Director Kali Prasanna Mohapatra, Higher Education Department Joint Secretary Mousumi Nayak and Professor Jhumki Rath of BJP (Autonomous) College, has been formed to conduct a thorough inquiry into the incident.
The committee has been directed to ascertain the circumstances leading to the self-immolation attempt, look into the harassment allegation against Sahu and examine the response of the college administration, including the principal and internal complaint committee, to the complaints filed by the victim. The probe panel has been asked to identify the lapses on part of any individual or authority.
The government has announced to bear the treatment expenses of the victim till her recovery and also the accommodation cost of her family members. They have been put up at a Dharmasala nearer to AIIMS, Bhubaneswar.