Bhubaneswar, July 15: The tragic death of 20-year-old BEd student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, has sparked widespread protests across Odisha, with the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leading a renewed call for justice.

The incident, allegedly stemming from sexual harassment and administrative apathy, has reignited public outrage and drawn attention to similar unresolved cases involving young women in the state during the previous BJD government.

The victim’s family has urged political parties to stop exploiting the tragedy, demanding swift justice and accountability. Their plea echoes the sentiments of other families who have faced similar heartbreaks.

Among them is the mother of Ruchika Mohanty, a BJB College student who died by suicide in 2022 after alleged ragging. Despite being a BJD member, Ruchika’s mother claimed she received no support from the then State government and was forcibly removed during a peaceful protest.

The case of Minakshi Mishra, a BJD executive member from Berhampur, also resurfaced. In 2020, she attempted self-immolation in front of the SP office, protesting her son’s arrest in a disputed case. She later succumbed to her injuries, raising questions about police conduct and justice delivery.

Another haunting case is that of Lakshmi Majhi, a differently-abled tribal woman and warden at Chandrapur’s Maa Gruha. Her half-burnt body was found in December 2023, with her family alleging rape and murder. Despite public outcry and demands for a CBI probe, the investigation remains inconclusive.

These incidents have led to growing criticism of institutional failures and political silence. Protesters have questioned the whereabouts of student leaders during these crises and demanded transparency and accountability from the ruling government.

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