In a sharp escalation of protests following the tragic death of a female student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, Balasore, opposition parties across Odisha have jointly called for a statewide bandh on July 17. The bandh will demand justice for 20-year-old Soumyashree Bisi, who died after self-immolating in protest against alleged sexual harassment and institutional apathy.
Bandh Announced by Opposition Over ‘Institutional Murder’
The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president, Bhatta Charan Das, announced the bandh at a press conference, calling the student’s death a “grievous injustice.” Das, along with leaders from the Left, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and six other opposition outfits, urged the people of Odisha to participate in the protest and observe the shutdown.
“Soumyashree didn’t die by suicide—she was murdered by the inaction and indifference of the system,” Das said. He alleged that bystanders did nothing while the girl poured petrol and set herself on fire, adding that such silence and state failure amount to complicity.
Victim of Harassment, Ignored by Authorities
Soumyashree Bisi, who was associated with the ABVP student wing, immolated herself on July 12, reportedly after enduring prolonged sexual harassment by a college professor. Despite repeated complaints, the college authorities allegedly ignored her pleas for help. She sustained 95% burns and succumbed to her injuries late on Monday at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
Das accused the BJP-led Odisha government of moral failure and negligence, saying, “This administration deserves to relinquish power for failing its own youth. She fought for justice till her last breath.”
Shutdown and Candlelight Vigils Planned Across State
Schools, colleges, and commercial establishments across Odisha are expected to remain closed on July 17 in response to the bandh. Opposition leaders have also called for candlelight vigils in major cities to mourn Soumyashree’s death and demand stronger safeguards for students, especially women, on college campuses.
“These vigils will be held not only in her memory but also as a call to action,” said a Left party spokesperson.
Arrests Made, But Questions Remain
Following the student’s death, the Balasore police arrested professor Sahu and college principal Dilip Ghosh on charges of abetment to suicide and sexual harassment. The state’s Higher Education Department has also launched an inquiry into the functioning of the college. However, opposition leaders argue that these actions are “too little, too late.”
The tragic episode has triggered political turmoil, highlighting systemic flaws in campus safety mechanisms and intensifying public anger. As July 17 approaches, Odisha braces for what may be one of the largest political shutdowns in recent years.