Odisha Self-Immolation Case: BJD Stages Massive Protest in Bhubaneswar, Observes Balasore Bandh

Bhubaneswar: The opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) held a massive protest outside Lok Sabha Bhawan on Wednesday, demanding justice for Soumyashree Bisi, a student of FM Autonomous College who died Monday after attempting self-immolation last week, allegedly due to sexual harassment by a faculty member.

The protest, starting at Master Canteen Square and moving toward PMG Square, saw significant participation from BJD leaders, women members, and supporters, who raised slogans and held placards demanding accountability.

The demonstration saw emotional appeals, slogans, and placards demanding justice for the deceased student and stricter action against those responsible.

The demonstration turned tense at Lower PMG Square as BJD workers clashed with Commissionerate Police while attempting to march toward the State Secretariat.

Police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesters who broke barricades, detaining hundreds, including leaders like Pranab Prakash Das and Priti Ranjan Gharei, who sustained injuries.

The BJD leaders criticized the BJP-led state government, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, and local authorities for inaction, alleging they failed to address Soumyashree’s complaints. BJD Vice-President Debi Prasad Mishra highlighted that the victim had reported the harassment to the college’s internal committee six months ago and filed a complaint with Sahadevkhunta Police on June 13 against Samir Kumar Sahu, Head of the Department.

She also appealed to the Chief Minister, Union Education Minister, State Higher Education Minister, and local MLA on July 1, but received no response.

Mishra condemned the authorities’ negligence, noting that even the local MP admitted to not taking the issue seriously.

The BJD demanded a judicial inquiry led by a sitting Orissa High Court judge and the resignation of the State Higher Education Minister. The party also raised concerns over rising crimes against women, citing 3,044 rape cases reported by their women’s wing to President Droupadi Murmu, claiming 15 women are raped daily in Odisha.

In parallel, BJD called for an eight-hour bandh in Balasore district on Wednesday, leading to closed markets, schools, and colleges, with minimal vehicular movement, to press for a judicial probe into the incident.

The post Odisha Self-Immolation Case: BJD Stages Massive Protest in Bhubaneswar, Observes Balasore Bandh appeared first on News Room Odisha.

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