Bhubaneswar- A massive political stir unfolded in Odisha on Thursday as Congress, joined by seven other opposition parties, observed a statewide bandh demanding justice for Soumyashree Bisi, the 20-year-old B.Ed student from FM Autonomous College in Balasore who died after self-immolation following alleged sexual harassment and official inaction.
The 12-hour dawn-to-dusk bandh disrupted normal life across major cities like Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. Shops and petrol pumps remained shut, and public transport came to a halt. Protesters blocked roads and railway tracks at multiple points, echoing outrage over what opposition leaders are calling an “institutional murder.”
The situation intensified near the official residence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi in Bhubaneswar, where Congress workers led by Odisha in-charge Ajay Kumar Lallu attempted to gherao the premises. As they tried to breach the security barricade, clashes broke out with police forces, leading to the detention of several demonstrators, including Lallu.
Speaking to the media before being taken away, Lallu accused the BJP-led Odisha government of suppressing the truth and shielding those responsible. “This government is using police force to silence voices seeking justice. We are not afraid—we’ll continue this fight until the Chief Minister and those complicit step down,” he asserted.
In Cuttack, Congress supporters gathered near the State Police Headquarters, demanding the resignation of the Director General of Police, blaming the law enforcement agencies for failing to protect women and respond to repeated complaints made by the victim.
Senior party leaders said the shutdown received widespread support from civil society, students, traders, and even fuel station workers. “This is not just a protest—it’s a cry of rage from every corner of Odisha. Soumyashree sought help from MLAs, MPs, police, and even the CM’s office, but all doors were shut on her. Her death is the direct result of systemic failure,” said one Congress leader.
The Commissionerate Police, however, stated that the bandh remained largely peaceful across the Twin Cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. “There were no major incidents of violence. Some traffic disruptions occurred, but we monitored the situation through drones, CCTVs, and AI-enabled surveillance systems,” said Police Commissioner S Dev Datta Singh.
He added that 48 protesters were detained, and eight calls were received on the police helpline. Law and order were maintained under the supervision of senior officers, and VIP movements were monitored from the control room at Police Bhawan.
The bandh was triggered by the shocking incident involving Soumyashree Bisi, who set herself ablaze on July 12 after reportedly facing six months of continuous harassment by the Head of the Education Department at FM College. Despite reaching out to multiple authorities, including the college administration and police, no action was taken. She succumbed to her injuries at AIIMS Bhubaneswar on July 15, having suffered over 90% burns.
The opposition has vowed to continue their agitation until accountability is fixed and resignations are tendered by Chief Minister Mohan Majhi and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, whom they hold morally responsible.
