In the aftermath of the tragic self-immolation and death of a 20-year-old B.Ed. student in Balasore, BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi lashed out at opposition parties BJD and Congress for allegedly politicising the incident to regain relevance. She accused both parties of “crocodile tears” and challenged their track record on women’s safety during decades of governance.
Tragedy That Sparked Statewide Outrage
The student, identified as Soumyashree, succumbed to 95% burn injuries on July 14 at AIIMS Bhubaneswar after attempting self-immolation two days earlier. She had alleged persistent sexual harassment by assistant professor Samira Kumar Sahu and claimed that despite repeated complaints to college authorities, police, and BJP MP Pratap Sarangi, no action was taken.
Opposition Launches Fierce Attack
Opposition parties seized on the incident to criticise the newly formed BJP government in Odisha. The BJD staged a massive protest in Bhubaneswar on July 16, demanding a judicial inquiry, the resignation of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, and Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj. Congress called for a statewide bandh on July 17, with party president Bhakta Charan Das echoing similar demands. BJD’s Snehangini Chhuria accused the BJP of turning “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” into “Beti Padhao, Beti Jalao.”
BJP MP Counters With Governance Record
In response, Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi rebuked the opposition’s narrative. She criticised the BJD’s 24-year rule and Congress’s decades in power for failing to create safe environments for women. Sarangi also targeted Congress leader Alka Lamba for allegedly stoking protests from Delhi. “Did Naveen Patnaik ever visit a victim as Chief Minister?” she asked, challenging the sincerity of opposition leaders.
Government Acts, But Political Tempers Rise
The state government promptly suspended Fakir Mohan College’s director, Dilip Ghose, and removed the accused professor. A high-level inquiry committee was announced. CM Majhi assured the “strictest punishment” for anyone found guilty. However, the political blame game has continued, with social media echoing both public sympathy and scepticism over the motives behind opposition protests.
A Tragedy Exposes Deep Political and Institutional Fault Lines
As Odisha mourns the loss of a young student, the event has exposed systemic gaps in ensuring women’s safety and the widening political rift. While opposition parties demand resignations, BJP leaders insist on due process and reject allegations of negligence. The issue remains deeply polarising as investigations proceed.