Days before she set herself on fire, Odisha student wrote to college: Professor harassing for denying sexual favours
IA 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, Odisha, set herself on fire on July 12 after repeated appeals for help were ignored. She had accused a faculty member of sexual harassment and claimed that both the college and police failed to take action. This tragic event has triggered nationwide outrage, forcing a fresh look at how educational institutions handle such complaints.
A Cry for Help That Went Unanswered
The student was in her first year of an integrated B.Ed course. On July 1, she submitted a written complaint against Assistant Professor Samir Kumar Sahu, who also headed the Education Department. She accused him of pressuring her for sexual favours. According to her, he threatened to fail her if she did not comply and harassed her during academic evaluations.
She did not stop at writing to the college. On the same day, she went to the local police station and filed a complaint. Despite these actions, the accused remained in his position. The college forwarded her complaint to the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), which submitted its report on July 9. However, no action followed.
The student had made it clear she was under immense stress. In another letter to the principal, she mentioned having survived a previous suicide attempt. She pleaded for immediate help.
A Social Media Warning That No One Took Seriously
In the days leading up to the incident, the student started posting on social media. On X (formerly Twitter), she wrote that she might take her life if no one offered justice. Her messages included a direct warning: “Will end my life if I don’t get justice.”
No one acted on these warnings—not the administration, not the authorities, and not even the police. She set herself on fire outside the principal’s office in a desperate act of protest.
Medical Emergency and Government Response
She was rushed to AIIMS Bhubaneswar with 90–95% burn injuries. Doctors placed her on ventilator support. Her condition remains critical.
Odisha’s Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi visited her at the hospital. He promised that the state government would cover all medical costs and hold the guilty accountable. The government formed a three-member inquiry committee to investigate the entire episode.
Police arrested the accused professor, and the college suspended him. The principal, Dilip Kumar Ghosh, also faced suspension for failing to act on time.
Institutional Neglect and Accountability
This incident has drawn sharp attention to how educational institutions handle harassment complaints. The 2013 Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act requires every college to form a functioning ICC. Yet, in many colleges, these committees are inactive or symbolic.
Women’s rights groups slammed the college for dragging its feet. Activists said the student did everything she could to follow the system. She filed a complaint, reached out to the police, and even used social media. Still, no one helped her.
A spokesperson from the National Commission for Women (NCW) condemned the failure. “When a survivor does everything right and still finds no support, it’s not just negligence—it’s cruelty,” she said. The NCW has taken up the case and demanded detailed reports from all involved institutions.
Political Outrage and Protests
Political parties across Odisha have erupted in protest. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Congress, and Trinamool Congress (TMC) organized marches in Bhubaneswar. They accused the BJP-led state government of ignoring student safety.
Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik wrote to the Governor, asking for urgent intervention. The BJP government responded by stating it would ensure transparency in the inquiry and bring justice to the victim.
A Broader Problem
This case has put a spotlight on a much larger issue. Many students across India face harassment but hesitate to report it. They fear academic revenge, social stigma, or being dismissed outright. Even when they report it, the response from institutions is often slow or nonexistent.
A 2023 UGC survey found that over 36% of female students faced harassment on campus, yet less than 10% filed official complaints. The Odisha case explains why many choose to stay silent.
What Needs to Change
The outcry following this case has led to some urgent demands:
- Immediate action on complaints filed with ICCs
- Suspension of faculty during ongoing investigations
- Mental health support for survivors
- Strict time limits for inquiry completion
- Regular reviews of ICC performance by external bodies
Students from several colleges have started organizing rallies in support of the victim. Many are demanding that the government launch a state-wide audit of sexual harassment policies in colleges.
A Life in the Balance
As of now, the young student fights for her life. Doctors are considering shifting her to AIIMS Delhi for advanced care. The next few days are critical.
But even if she survives, the damage—emotional, physical, and institutional—cannot be undone. Her story has become a national symbol of how systems fail women who speak up.
Final Thoughts
The Odisha self-immolation case is more than just one tragic incident. It exposes a deep-rooted failure in how institutions respond to sexual harassment. A student cried out for help—formally, legally, and publicly. No one acted. Now, her life hangs in the balance, and a nation is forced to reckon with its apathy.
If real change is to happen, it must begin now—with justice for her and safety for every other student walking into a college classroom.
