Bhubaneswar- In the aftermath of the shocking self-immolation attempt by Soumyashree Bisi, a B.Ed student of FM Autonomous College in Balasore, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan visited the Burn Centre at AIIMS Bhubaneswar on Monday to meet the victim’s family and review her treatment.
Soumyashree, who suffered critical injuries after allegedly being harassed by her Head of Department, Samir Kumar Sahu, remains in a serious condition. Pradhan spoke with the doctors attending to her and expressed deep concern over the gravity of the situation.
Speaking to reporters after the visit, the Minister described the incident as “deeply unfortunate and highly disturbing,” stressing that it highlighted serious flaws in campus safety and the academic environment. “This isn’t just an incident—it’s a systemic failure. Everyone responsible, no matter their rank or role, will be held accountable,” he assured.
Pradhan confirmed that the Odisha government had already begun both legal and departmental action, with further steps to follow based on the police investigation. He emphasized that justice would be delivered and that no one—whether in uniform or in position—would be shielded.
“There are more than 800 colleges in Odisha. This heartbreaking case has exposed a glaring lack of safeguards for students. We must bring in immediate reforms and ensure strict enforcement of safety and harassment prevention guidelines across all institutions,” the Minister said.
He also called for moral introspection among college officials. “Those who are in positions of responsibility should evaluate their roles. If someone has failed in their duty, resigning is not just ethical, it’s necessary,” Pradhan stated firmly.
While acknowledging his visit as a ministerial responsibility, Pradhan also said he came as a concerned Odia and a guardian. “This is more than an administrative lapse—it’s a human tragedy. I stand by the family, and both the Central and State governments will extend every possible support,” he promised.
Meanwhile, the victim’s brother, visibly emotional, demanded justice and blamed the college administration for gross negligence. “My sister was mentally shattered by the harassment and the indifference shown by the authorities. This didn’t happen overnight—there were ongoing issues, and no one acted. Even the Principal must be held accountable,” he said.
Calling for Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s direct intervention, the family insisted on a thorough investigation and strict punishment for those found guilty. “We don’t want sympathy. We want justice—swift and uncompromising,” Soumyashree’s brother asserted.
As Soumyashree battles for her life, the incident has sent shockwaves through the state’s education system, sparking widespread calls for reform, accountability, and immediate safeguards to ensure that such tragedies never occur again.