Bhubaneswar, July 15: The Odisha Congress Tuesday called for a statewide bandh on July 17, 2025 (Thursday), demanding justice for the late 20-year-old student of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore.

Briefing a press conference here, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das came down heavily on the State government over the death of the girl student, and called for a state-wide bandh demanding justice for the deceased girl student and the safety of women in the state.

Das claimed the bandh is not only a protest but a demand for legislative and administrative action to ensure safe learning environments for the girl students across the state.

The OPCC president further sought a prompt action on women’s safety in educational institutions and urges immediate legal action against those responsible for the alleged harassment.

Eight political parties, including Left parties and the Nationalist Congress Party, have extended support to the bandh call of the Congress party, Das said.

Notably, a 20-year-old student of FM College, attempted self-immolation over alleged sexual harassment by a faculty member and later succumbed to burn injuries at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar late last night.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed deep condolences and announced Rs 20 lakh financial assistance to the bereaved family from the CM's Relief Fund.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, former Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik, State’s Congress president Bhakta Charan Das and sever senior leaders extended deep grief to the bereaved family.

President Droupadi Murmu met the parents of the girl student yesterday evening at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar and expressed deep concern over the incident.

Activists and citizens have since called for a transparent investigation and stronger safeguards against campus abuse.

The police have so far arrested two persons, a faculty member and the principal of the college, who have also been suspended by the Odisha government in connection with the incident.

The student’s shocking death has not only devastated her family and community but also triggered widespread anger, grief, and calls for systemic reform, particularly the need for institutional accountability on women safety.

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