Bhubaneswar, July 16: Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spoke to the father of the 20-year-old B.Ed. student of Fakir Mohan (FM) Autonomous College in Odisha’s Balasore, who attempted self-immolation over alleged sexual harassment and later succumbed to burn injuries at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
Gandhi said that, in the father's voice, he could feel the immense pain of losing his daughter, her dreams, and the struggles she faced.
Taking to his official ‘X’ handle, Gandhi informed about the telephonic conversation and wrote, "Spoke with the father of the brave daughter who lost her life in the fight for justice in Balasore, Odisha. In his voice, I felt his daughter's pain, dreams, and struggle.”
He also assured him that the Congress party and he would stand by the family at every step. He promised that, under all circumstances, they would ensure the victim's family receives complete justice.
“Assured him that the Congress Party and I stand with them at every step. What happened is not only inhuman and shameful, but also a wound to the entire society. We will ensure in every way that the victim's family receives full justice," added Gandhi in the post.
Earlier yesterday, Gandhi strongly criticized the BJP government in Odisha over the death of the student. He stated that the death of a daughter who was fighting for justice in Odisha is nothing short of a murder committed by the BJP's system.
"The courageous student spoke out against sexual harassment, but instead of receiving justice, she was threatened, tormented, and repeatedly humiliated. Those meant to protect her only caused her more pain," the Congress leader remarked.
"As always, the BJP's system shielded the accused, forcing an innocent daughter to take such a drastic step. This is not a suicide; it is an orchestrated murder by the system," he added.
Gandhi also questioned the 'silence' of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the face of rising crimes against women across the country.
"Modi ji, whether it's in Odisha or Manipur, the daughters of this nation are suffering, being broken, and losing their lives. Yet, you remain silent. The country doesn't need your silence; it needs answers. The daughters of India deserve safety and justice," he further stated.
Notably, the Odisha Congress has called for a statewide ‘bandh’ on July 17 to protest the death of the student.
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Bhakta Charan Das stated that the bandh is supported by eight parties, including Left parties and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
It is worth noting that the student attempted self-immolation on her college campus on July 12. She poured petrol and set herself on fire outside the principal's office, allegedly in protest of inaction on her sexual harassment complaint against the Head of the Department, Samir Kumar Sahu.
She sustained over 90 percent burn injuries and was initially rushed to Balasore Medical College before being transferred to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for advanced treatment.
Despite extensive medical interventions, including mechanical ventilation and renal replacement therapy, she was declared dead at 11:46 PM on July 14.
