Odisha Observes Bandh Today

Bhadrak: Several opposition parties in Odisha observed a state-wide bandh on Thursday to protest against the death of a 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore. She died after attempting self-immolation.

Shops remained shut and traffic was disrupted in many areas, including Bhadrak and Mayurbhanj. In Bhadrak, markets were closed and public transport was affected.

The bandh also caused long traffic jams on the Chennai-Kolkata Highway, where trucks and other vehicles were left stranded. Bus services were impacted in different parts of the state.

The Congress party, along with other opposition groups, including the All India Forward Bloc, led the bandh. They blamed the state government for failing to respond to the student’s repeated cries for help.

Protesters demanded a proper investigation into the case and called for stronger measures to ensure the safety and justice for women in the state.

A day earlier, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) had also taken to the streets and called for a ‘Balasore Bandh’ in protest against the Odisha government. BJD chief and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik strongly criticised the state government and the police over the alleged use of force against BJD workers who were protesting in connection with the case.

On Tuesday, eight opposition parties, including the Congress, jointly called for an ‘Odisha Bandh’ on July 17, demanding the resignation of the State Higher Education Minister and a judicial investigation into the matter.

The 20-year-old student had allegedly faced sustained sexual harassment by the Head of Department (HoD) at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore. Despite filing a formal complaint and repeatedly seeking help from the college principal, her concerns reportedly went unaddressed, leading her to set herself on fire on campus last Saturday.

She was first admitted to Balasore district hospital and later shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar, where she succumbed to her burn injuries on Monday, according to hospital authorities.

Following the incident, the college’s HoD, Samira Kumar Sahu, and Principal, Dilip Ghose, have been arrested in connection with the case.