Odisha: BJD stages protest in front of FM College demanding justice for girl student

Balasore, July 14: The opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Monday staged a protest in front of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Odisha’s Balasore demanding justice for the girl student, who attempted self-immolation due to harassment by a senior lecturer.

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As per reports, the agitators, led by BJD workers and supporters, marched to the college gate and burned effigies of Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, and local MP Pratap Sarangi.

The party asked the Chief Minister and the Higher Education Minister to resign, stating that they failed to respond to the victim’s request for help. 

They also demanded for a CBI investigation, claiming that the state government and college officials ignored the victim’s appeals, which pushed her to take extreme action.

It is worth mentioning that the victims suffered 90-95% burns in the self-immolation attempt and is currently undergoing treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. 

She resorted to the extreme step after reportedly facing harassment by Assistant Professor Samir Ranjan Sahu. Despite complaints to the college principal and local authorities, no action was taken.

Earlier yesterday, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj assured that the case is being treated with the highest priority.

He also mentioned that an unbiased three-member inquiry committee has been set up to investigate the events leading to the incident and the involvement of college authorities and faculty members.

"The Odisha government is taking this incident very seriously. We will ensure the strictest punishment for anyone found responsible. The punishment will be so severe that no one will even think of committing such an act in the future," Minister Suraj said during a press interaction.