“Women across India feel unsafe—especially because of the ruling party's tendency to stand with the accused instead of the victim,"

Odisha Congress Forms Fact-Finding Committee on Balasore Self-Immolation Case, Pawan Khera Slams BJP

Odisha, Balasore Student Self-Immolation Case Latest News: The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) has formed an eight-member fact-finding committee to investigate the self-immolation attempt by a student of Fakir Mohan College in Balasore.

According to ANI, the committee is headed by State Women's Wing President Meenakshi Bahinipati, and Congress MLA Sofia Firdous has also been named as a member of the panel.

The 20-year-old student is currently undergoing treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, after reportedly suffering 95% burn injuries following prolonged sexual harassment by the Head of the Department of her college.

Pawan Khera Slams BJP Govt Over Institutional Apathy

Congress leader Pawan Khera on Sunday strongly criticized the BJP government, highlighting what he called institutional apathy and criminal complicity that led to the incident.

He said the victim made repeated pleas for help to the college principal, the Internal Complaints Committee, and even tagged the Chief Minister and Education Minister on social media—yet her complaints went unheard.

“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,” Khera said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

He called the situation not only institutional apathy but criminal complicity, and demanded full accountability, insisting the culprit must face the law.

Khera also pointed out that the victim was an ABVP office-bearer in a BJP-ruled state, and questioned, “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?”

He further alleged, “Women across India feel unsafe—especially because of the ruling party’s tendency to stand with the accused instead of the victim, to shield the rapists instead of the raped.”

BJD’s Lekha Samantsinghar Also Criticizes BJP Government

BJD Senior General Secretary Lekha Samantsinghar echoed similar concerns, accusing the BJP government of failing to protect women.

“A third-year student from Fakir Mohan University was the victim of sexual abuse. She complained to the college, the police, and even the BJP MP from Balasore. Yet, no one responded,” she said.

Samantsinghar alleged that after ten days of inaction, the college forced the victim to withdraw her complaint and compromise with the teacher. This, she said, pushed the student to attempt suicide, leading to 95% burns.

“The BJP government is unable to protect the lives of women and girls. Today in Odisha, 15 rapes occur per day, and the government is sitting silently, doing nothing,” she added.

Victim’s Condition Critical; AIIMS Doctors

Doctors at AIIMS Bhubaneswar reported that the victim remains in critical condition, with severe burns and damage to her kidneys and lungs.

“At this moment, we cannot say anything conclusive,” said Dr. Ashutosh Biswas, Executive Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar.

Multiple specialists are reportedly involved in her ongoing treatment.

The National Commission for Women (NCW)  Takes Suo Motu Cognizanze:

Earlier today, the The National Commission for Women (NCW has taking suo motu cognizance of the crime, strongly condemned the incident and has directed the Director General of Police, Odisha, to ensure a fair and time-bound investigation.

NCW Chairperson Ms. Vijaya Rahatkar also urged strict action against the accused and called for all necessary medical and psychological support to be extended to the victim, free of cost.

The Commission has asked for an action-taken report to be submitted within three days.

The accused HOD Sameer Kumar Sahu has been arrested by the police.

The college principal, in a public statement, said the victim approached her around 11 AM on Saturday and expressed severe distress.

“I summoned the teacher and spoke to both parties. Shortly after the student left my office, we heard screams,” she said. The ICC, according to the principal, "did not find conclusive evidence of sexual harassment.”

Following the incident, the accused teacher was arrested and booked under relevant sections for sexual harassment and abetment to suicide attempt, according to DIG Satyajit Naik.

The Odisha government has suspended both the accused teacher and the principal, with the latter being barred from leaving Balasore without the district collector's permission.

A detailed investigation into the matter is currently underway.

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