New Delhi, July 15: The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) has demanded justice for Soumyashree, a 20-year-old student of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Odisha's Balasore, who tragically died by self-immolation after allegedly facing prolonged sexual harassment by her Head of Department.
In an official press release, NSUI expressed deep sorrow and outrage over her death, describing it as the result of "months of unbearable trauma and institutional silence."
“Soumyashree was subjected to relentless harassment and pleaded for help—but her cries were ignored,” the statement read. “She was failed by the Odisha Government, the college administration, and a system deeply compromised by BJP-backed appointments. From the Chief Minister's office down to local authorities, no one stepped forward to protect her.”
The student body alleged that the college administration and the district officials remained indifferent to Soumyashree’s repeated complaints, accusing them of complicity through inaction.
NSUI also criticized the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student organization Soumyashree was reportedly affiliated with, accusing it of abandoning her in her time of need. “ABVP not only ignored her cries for justice but is now actively spreading misinformation to shield the guilty. Their silence then and their deflection now are acts of betrayal,” the NSUI stated.
In response to rumors linking NSUI members to the case, the organization firmly denied any such involvement. “Let it be made absolutely clear: no NSUI office bearer is connected to this case. These false allegations are an affront to Soumyashree’s memory and serve only to distract from the real perpetrators.”
Calling the incident “not just a tragedy, but institutional murder,” NSUI laid out its demands immediate arrest and prosecution of the accused faculty member, in independent judicial inquiry into the role of college authorities and potential administrative cover-up, suspension of all officials and staff who ignored or mishandled Soumyashree’s complaints and full accountability from the Odisha Government and any political entities responsible for enabling the alleged negligence.
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