New Delhi/Bhubaneswar, July 13: Congress leader Pawan Khera today strongly condemned the "Double Engine Sarkar" following the self-immolation attempt by a young woman in Odisha.
The student from Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore allegedly set herself on fire after facing persistent sexual harassment from her college Head of Department (HoD), highlighting what Khera termed as "institutional apathy and criminal complicity."
She was admitted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar on July 12.
Khera stated that the victim's repeated pleas for help, including approaching the Principal, the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), and even appealing to the Chief Minister and Education Minister on social media, were ignored.
He emphasized that not only were the victim's complaints disregarded, but even a BJP MP's demand for the HoD's suspension was dismissed by the college Principal.
In an 'X' post, Khera wrote, "A BJP MP had demanded the HoD's suspension but even he was brushed aside - by the college Principal. As such, it is safe to call the Double Engine Sarkar a cruel joke. Because it does not even empower a local MP from the ruling party enough to prevail over a college Principal in a matter so crucial and sensitive."
BJP MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi confirmed on Saturday that the woman and her friends had informed him of the situation, after which he contacted the college principal and the Superintendent of Police of Balasore. Sarangi also mentioned that the woman had previously attempted suicide. Upon hearing the news of her self-immolation, he tried to call the college principal again but received no response.
Khera further posted on 'X': "It is a national tragedy that a young woman in Odisha was forced to set herself on fire after facing relentless sexual harassment by her college HoD. She pleaded for help - informally to the Principal, formally to the Internal Complaints Committee, and publicly to the CM and Education Minister on social media. Yet, her complaints went unheard."
Calling the incident "criminal complicity," Khera demanded stringent action against the accused HoD and all others involved in the Balasore self-immolation case. He asserted, "This is institutional apathy but even more, it is criminal complicity. The culprit, HoD must face the law for driving a woman to self-immolation, but the Principal and the ICC must also be held accountable - not merely for negligence, but for abetment."
Khera also pointed out that the victim was an Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) office bearer in a BJP-ruled state. He questioned, "Notably, the victim was an ABVP office bearer in a BJP-ruled state. If this is the fate of their own, what can ordinary women - with no access to networks of power - in Odisha, and beyond, possibly expect?"
Congress leader and Barabati-Cuttack MLA Sofia Firdous also criticized the Odisha State government's handling of the self-immolation attempt at FM (Autonomous) College.
Firdous stated, "The state government has been completely deflecting the criticism and allegations that are being levied against it. Time and again, this innocent girl has been raising the complaint...The authorities have failed to give her protection. Unfortunately, she is also a member of the ABVP, and this clearly shows that when the people of the party, when the women of the party, are not safe, leaders are not able to protect them. What is the situation of women in the state? This is a grave concern..."
The MLA reiterated the Congress party's demands for systemic reforms, including the appointment of a State Women's Commission and the formation of a House committee to investigate crimes against women. "I hope this is enough proof to awaken the State government so that they can really understand that the law and order situation is not going in the right direction...They should take proper remedial measures as demanded by the Congress party, which includes the appointment of a state women's commission and also includes making reforms in the system and appointing a House committee as well," she urged.
(With agency inputs)
