Bhubaneswar- Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has reached out to the grieving father of Soumyashree Bisi, the young B.Ed student from FM Autonomous College in Balasore who tragically died after self-immolating on campus following allegations of harassment by a faculty member. In a heartfelt conversation, Rahul said he could feel the pain, dreams, and silent struggle of the daughter through the voice of her father. He assured him that the Congress Party would stand by the family at every step in their quest for justice. Calling the incident deeply inhuman and shameful, Rahul said it had left a wound on the conscience of the entire society.
Rahul Gandhi strongly criticised the BJP-led state government, holding its system responsible for Soumyashree’s death. He described it as not a case of suicide but an organised murder, saying that instead of receiving justice, the young woman was continuously harassed and mentally broken by those who were supposed to protect her. He accused the system of shielding the accused and forcing the victim to take the extreme step. He also questioned the continued silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the increasing crimes against women across the country, pointing out that India’s daughters are suffering, yet the central leadership remains indifferent.
In response to the tragedy, the Congress Party has called for a statewide 12-hour bandh in Odisha on July 17, demanding a judicial probe into the incident and highlighting the growing concerns over women’s safety. The shutdown, scheduled from 6 AM to 6 PM, will see schools, colleges, universities, and transport services closed across the state, with exceptions made for emergency services like ambulances. Congress workers are expected to stage demonstrations and picketing at major intersections to draw attention to the issue.
The FM College incident has stirred outrage not just in Odisha but across the nation. Congress leaders at the national level have taken serious note of the issue. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is reportedly planning a visit to Odisha, and the party aims to raise the matter forcefully in Parliament when the Monsoon Session begins on July 21. National Women Congress President Alka Lamba confirmed the party’s strategy to corner the government at the national level, underlining the gravity of the situation.
The Congress has increasingly focused its attention on Odisha in recent months, strengthening its role as a vocal opposition in the state. With the July 17 bandh and mounting public anger, the political atmosphere in Odisha is expected to grow even more intense in the coming days.
