Bhubaneswar- In a decisive move prompted by the shocking self-immolation attempt of a girl student from Fakir Mohan College, the Odisha Government has issued a 24-hour deadline to all higher educational institutions in the state to confirm the formation and functioning of Internal Committees (ICs) to address sexual harassment cases on campus.
The Higher Education Department has mandated that every college and university under its jurisdiction comply with Section 4 of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. These Internal Committees must include women members and external representatives, ensuring a fair and transparent structure.
Institutions are also required to align with the UGC’s 2015 guidelines on preventing sexual harassment in higher education settings. To enhance awareness and accountability, all campuses must publicly display the names and contact information of the IC members. This information must also be uploaded to the HIMS portal, along with a geo-tagged photograph showing where the details are posted. A submission link ([https://tinyurl.com/ICCHED25](https://tinyurl.com/ICCHED25)) has been provided for this purpose.
Further, all colleges and universities have been instructed to conduct sensitization workshops for students and staff, focused on the provisions of the 2013 Act. The workshops aim to educate and foster a safer, more responsive campus environment.
Earlier today, the Regional Directorate of Education circulated a separate advisory demanding immediate and strict preventive measures across all colleges to avert similar sensitive incidents. The advisory reinforces the necessity of IC formation and calls for strengthened campus security through round-the-clock surveillance, deployment of in-house monitoring squads, and installation of functional CCTV networks.
Principals and institutional heads are now under pressure to ensure their campuses meet compliance standards without delay. Any negligence or failure to implement these guidelines must be reported to the Directorate without exception.
Meanwhile, the condition of Soumyashree—the FM College student whose tragic protest sparked the state’s urgent action—remains critical. She has sustained 90% burns and has undergone dialysis due to kidney failure. Her treatment is ongoing at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, where doctors continue to monitor her closely.
This incident has ignited a serious conversation around campus safety, institutional accountability, and the psychological well-being of students across Odisha. The state government’s rapid response marks a critical turning point in enforcing protective mechanisms within the academic space.
