Tragic Death of College Student Sparks Outrage Over Systemic Failures

Final Farewell to a Brave Student

A college student who reportedly self-immolated after alleged sexual harassment by a teacher was laid to rest on Tuesday in her ancestral village in Balasore district, Odisha. Thousands gathered at the village crematorium, including Pratap Sarangi, the local Member of Parliament from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and senior district officials, as her cousin performed the last rites. The community bid a tearful farewell to the young woman, with her father expressing his grief, stating, 'My daughter taught me to fight, and I will continue this battle. I do not seek money or compensation; I want my daughter back. Can the government return her to me?' Her mother, overwhelmed with sorrow, could only plead for forgiveness, saying, 'Please forgive me. I am not in a position to say anything.'

Political Leaders React to the Incident

Naveen Patnaik, the leader of the opposition in the Odisha Assembly, commented on the tragic death of the student, attributing it to a 'failure of the system.' Expressing his sorrow on social media, he lamented, 'It is heartbreaking to think how a failed system can take a life. The most painful aspect is that this was not an accident but a consequence of a system that remained silent instead of offering help. In her fight for justice, that girl ultimately closed her eyes forever.'

A Call for Accountability

Patnaik highlighted the courage of the student, who had written to the college principal about the alleged sexual harassment. Despite the lack of action from the college administration, she did not give up. She reached out to the higher education minister, the chief minister's office, and even a central minister for assistance. The brave student also shared her ordeal with the local MP from Balasore. Patnaik emphasized that if someone had taken responsibility and intervened, the girl's life might have been saved. Her death was not only due to physical trauma but also the negligence of the state government, which left her alone in her fight.

A Plea for Justice

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president stated, 'This entire incident reflects nothing less than institutional betrayal—a planned injustice. I once again urge the honorable governor to ensure that not only the college administration but also those in power who failed to act on the student's pleas are held accountable.' Patnaik concluded his social media post by praying for the departed soul, asking for peace for her family during this immense sorrow. The student succumbed to her injuries on Monday night at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Bhubaneswar after battling for three days. She was a second-year student in the integrated B.Ed program at Fakir Mohan Autonomous College. Distressed by the lack of concrete action against the accused teacher, she took this drastic step, suffering burns over 95% of her body.