Odisha Bandh Announced for July 17 Over Student's Tragic Death

Bhubaneswar, Jul 15 (PTI) In a significant demonstration against the state government, eight opposition parties, spearheaded by the Congress, have announced an Odisha bandh on July 17. It is a move to protest the tragic death of a college student who committed self-immolation following alleged inaction on her sexual harassment complaint against a professor.

State Congress President Bhakta Charan Das confirmed that the bandh is backed by eight parties, including the Left.

Das asserted that the unfortunate incident at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore indicates the state government's failure to ensure women's safety.

He criticized the administration, saying, "She brought petrol, and everyone watched silently. No one acted," targeting the ruling BJP.

Das emphasized that the bandh seeks justice for the deceased student.

The young woman, a second-year B.Ed student, lost her life on Monday night at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar after battling severe injuries for three days.

The harrowing event unfolded when she set herself ablaze on the college campus on Saturday, following inaction against a professor she accused of sexual harassment. She sustained 95 percent burns in the process.

In response to the incident, the principal and the Head of the Education Department of the college have been taken into custody.

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