Bhubaneswar : Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the BJP government after a college student in Odisha’s Balasore district set herself on fire following repeated sexual harassment by her Head of Department.
Different day, different victim — same rot under BJP’s watch. In Balasore, Odisha, a student was forced to set herself ablaze after her HOD demanded sexual favours and threatened to ruin her future. She is battling with 95% burns. A fellow student who tried to save her has suffered 70% burns” Trinamool posted on its official X handle.
The horrific incident took place on Saturday afternoon at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College when the young woman, a second-year Integrated B.Ed student, met Principal Dilip Kumar Ghose to press for action against Assistant Professor Samira Kumar Sahu — who was also her HOD — whom she had accused of sexual harassment, officials said.
Moments later, she allegedly poured kerosene on herself and set herself ablaze on the campus. A male student who tried to rescue her suffered 70% burns. Both were initially admitted to the district headquarters hospital and later shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for advanced treatment.
Odisha’s Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj called the incident deeply unfortunate and said the government is handling it very sensitively. The accused HOD and the principal have been suspended and the teacher has been arrested. A high-level committee has been sent from Bhubaneswar to investigate.
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