Odisha Congress Calls July 17 Bandh Over Balasore Student’s Death

Bhubaneswar : Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee President Bhakta Charan Das has called for a statewide bandh on July 17, protesting the death of a 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore. The student succumbed to burn injuries after attempting self-immolation, allegedly due to prolonged sexual harassment by her teacher.

Das demanded the resignation of the State Education Minister, Balasore MLA, and MP, accusing them of failing to protect the victim despite her repeated pleas for help. “She knocked on every door—including the MLA’s—but got no justice,” Das said.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also reacted strongly, calling the incident an “organised murder by the BJP’s system” in a post on X. He accused authorities of shielding the accused and pushing the student to take her own life.

The Congress has appealed to all sections of society to support the bandh in solidarity with the victim and to demand justice.