Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday launched a blistering attack on the BJP-led Odisha government over the death of a 2nd year college student who succumbed to burn injuries after allegedly enduring months of sexual harassment at the hands of a senior faculty member. Describing her death as a “murder by the BJP system,” Gandhi squarely blamed the BJP for what he called a complete collapse of institutional safeguards meant to protect women.
“The death of a daughter fighting for justice in Odisha is nothing less than a murder by the BJP's system,” Gandhi said in a post on social media platform X. “That brave student raised her voice against sexual harassment — but instead of delivering justice, she was threatened, tormented, and repeatedly humiliated," he added.
The Congress MP went on to allege that the very authorities meant to protect the student failed her at every step. “Those who were supposed to protect her kept breaking her,” he wrote. “As always, the BJP's system continued to shield the accused and forced an innocent daughter to set herself on fire," he wrote.
“Modi ji, whether in Odisha or Manipur — the daughters of the nation are burning, breaking, and dying. And you? You remain silent. The country doesn't need your silence; it needs answers. India's daughters need safety and justice," said the Rae Bareli MP, taking a swipe at PM Modi.
The victim, a second-year B.Ed student at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore, had accused Samir Kumar Sahu, the Head of the Education Department, of sexual harassment. Frustrated over the alleged inaction against the professor, she set herself ablaze on the college premises on Saturday.
She suffered 95 per cent burns and died late Monday night at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, after battling for her life for three days.
Her death triggered widespread outrage across Odisha, with large crowds turning out for her funeral on Tuesday. Her body was cremated in her native village in Balasore district, where thousands of mourners, including Balasore MP Pratap Sarangi and local officials, walked in procession from her home to the cremation ground.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced an ex gratia payment of ₹20 lakh to the victim’s family. He also ordered a thorough investigation into the incident and promised that all those found guilty would be punished according to the law.
“The government will ensure that justice is delivered,” said a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office. “This incident is tragic and unacceptable.”
The young woman had reportedly written to college authorities just 11 days before her death, warning them of “dire consequences” if no action was taken against the professor. Despite her plea, little was done, a failure that many, including opposition leaders, say amounted to institutional complicity.
