Bhubaneswar/Balasore- A shocking incident unfolded at Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, where a young girl student attempted self-immolation in front of the college gate, reportedly after prolonged mental harassment by the Head of the Education Department and alleged institutional indifference to her repeated complaints. The incident has triggered massive outrage among students and the general public, prompting swift administrative and legal action.
Following the incident, Odisha’s Higher Education Department suspended college principal Dillip Ghosh and arrested HOD Sameer Ranjan Sahoo, who has been accused of persistently harassing the student and threatening to sabotage her academic future. The student, in a desperate act during a peaceful campus protest, reportedly poured petrol on herself and set herself on fire, suffering over 90% burns. She is currently battling for life at AIIMS Bhubaneswar after being initially treated at the Balasore District Headquarters Hospital.
Another female student, who tried to rescue her, also sustained injuries in the process. The horrifying scene has shaken the student community, with many eyewitnesses stating that the victim had repeatedly complained about harassment and blackmail from the accused faculty member, who allegedly demanded inappropriate favours.
Students alleged that their classmate had sought help from college authorities several times, but instead of receiving justice, she was met with silence and a biased internal inquiry that excluded student representation. They claim that the internal committee appeared to protect the accused rather than uncover the truth. Amid the growing unrest, a protest dharna was being held when the tragic incident occurred.
The Odisha Higher Education Minister, Suryabanshi Suraj, confirmed the disciplinary actions taken and stated that a high-level committee has been formed to investigate the matter. He added that the state government is ensuring the best possible medical care for the victim and that strict punishment will follow based on the committee’s findings to prevent such incidents from recurring.
Meanwhile, Balasore SP Raj Prasad affirmed that a thorough investigation is underway, including forensic analysis and examination of all evidence and testimonies. He also noted that multiple teams are probing various aspects of the case to determine if others were involved in shielding the accused.
The student body has demanded an impartial and transparent investigation, justice for their classmate, and systemic reforms to ensure that institutions act responsibly when such serious complaints are raised. The horrifying incident has exposed glaring lapses in how educational institutions handle cases of student grievances, especially involving harassment by those in positions of power.
The emotional toll on students and the larger community has been immense, as the girl continues to fight for her life. Her case now stands as a painful reminder of the urgent need for accountability, safer campus environments, and a zero-tolerance approach to harassment in educational institutions.
