Bhubaneswar, July 14: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday visited AIIMS Bhubaneswar to assess the health condition of the female student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, Balasore, who is undergoing treatment at the premier hospital after attempting self-immolation over alleged harassment and administrative negligence.

The Minister also extended his heartfelt support to the family of the student.

ବାଲେଶ୍ୱର ଫକୀର ମୋହନ ସ୍ୱୟଂ ଶାସିତ ମହାବିଦ୍ୟାଳୟରେ ଘଟିଥିବା ଅଘଟଣରେ ଛାତ୍ରୀଜଣକ ଭୁବନେଶ୍ୱର ଏମ୍ସ ହସ୍ପିଟାଲରେ ଚିକିତ୍ସାଧୀନ ଅଛନ୍ତି । ତାଙ୍କର ବାପା ମାଆଙ୍କୁ ଭେଟି ସମବେଦନା ଜଣାଇବା ସହ ଛାତ୍ରୀଙ୍କ ସ୍ୱାସ୍ଥ୍ୟାବସ୍ଥା ସମ୍ପର୍କରେ ଏମ୍ସ କର୍ତ୍ତୃପକ୍ଷଙ୍କ ସହ ଆଲୋଚନା କଲି । ସେ ଶୀଘ୍ର ସୁସ୍ଥ ହୋଇ ଘରକୁ ଫେରନ୍ତୁ, ଏହା ମହାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ… pic.twitter.com/pCDRrGOQKf

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) July 14, 2025

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Pradhan expressed deep concern over the incident and stated that he visited the student’s parents to offer condolences and understand her condition through discussions with AIIMS authorities. “May she recover soon and return home. This is my prayer to Mahaprabhu Lord Jagannath,” he wrote.

The Union Minister also interacted with the team of doctors treating the critically injured girl.

Speaking to media persons after the visit, Pradhan made it clear that justice will be served and no one involved in the incident will be spared. He condemned the incident as “deeply unfortunate and highly disturbing,” stating that it reflects a grave failure in the academic ecosystem.

Pradhan said the Odisha government has already initiated disciplinary and legal proceedings, and more stringent actions will follow. He added that preliminary action has been taken in the case, and the police are actively probing the matter. The Minister added that whoever is responsible — whether in uniform or position — will not be spared.

“There are over 800 colleges in Odisha. This incident has exposed serious lapses in campus safety and student support systems. We need urgent reforms and strict enforcement of guidelines across all institutions,” Pradhan said. Calling for accountability, the Minister added, “Those in positions of responsibility should introspect. If anyone is found negligent or complicit, stepping down is the ethical and moral course of action.”

Pradhan, who also serves as a Member of Parliament from Sambalpur in Odisha, said he visited the victim’s family not only as a Union Minister but as a concerned guardian. “This is not just an institutional failure — it’s a humanitarian crisis. I stand with the family and assure them of full support from both the Centre and the State,” he said. The Minister concluded by calling the incident “a wake-up call” for the education system and emphasised that the girl’s life and dignity must be protected at all costs.

Notably, a second-year B.Ed student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, sustained severe burn injuries and remains in critical condition.

Doctors at AIIMS Bhubaneswar have confirmed that she sustained 95% burn injuries, with severe damage to her kidneys and lungs. Her health condition remains critical, and dialysis has been initiated as part of renal replacement therapy after consultation with AIIMS Delhi. She is currently under ventilator support with a dangerously high heartbeat rate of 180 bpm.

AIIMS Executive Director Dr. Ashutosh Biswas stated that a multi-specialty medical team, including experts from critical care, nephrology, pulmonology, and surgery, is monitoring the patient around the clock. A 10-member medical committee has been formed to coordinate her treatment.

The self-immolation case has drawn national attention, prompting action from various government bodies. The Odisha government suspended the Principal Dillip Kumar Ghosh and arrested the accused Samir Kumar Sahu, HoD of the Education department of the FM College. The National Commission for Women (NCW) has demanded an action taken report within three days from the Odisha police chief.

Pradhan's visit highlights the gravity of the situation and underscores the government’s commitment to addressing harassment complaints with urgency and compassion.

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