Protest Over Student’s Death Escalates at Lok Seva Bhawan

On July 16, 2025, Bhubaneswar witnessed high political drama as the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) launched a massive protest march toward Lok Seva Bhawan, the state’s administrative headquarters. The demonstration was triggered by public outrage over the July 12 self-immolation of a student at Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore. Protestors demanded a judicial inquiry, the resignation of the Higher Education Minister and Chief Minister, and a ₹2 crore compensation for the victim’s family.

Police Use Force to Break Protest March

As protestors pushed toward Mahatma Gandhi Marg, tensions flared. Within 90 minutes, the police responded by deploying water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowd, citing the need to protect government property and prevent law and order breakdown. The crackdown resulted in over 100 reported injuries, as confirmed by the BJD.

Senior BJD Leaders Hospitalised Amid Injury Claims

Among the injured were top BJD leaders Pranab Prakash Das (Bobby), Pritiranjan Ghadei (Dani), and Sulata Deo, all of whom were later admitted to intensive care in private hospitals. The party alleged the use of rubber bullets by the police, though Police Commissioner Debdatta Singh categorically denied such claims, stating that no rubber ammunition was used during crowd control.

Skepticism Rises Over Injury Narratives

Videos and eyewitness accounts have fueled public skepticism over the severity of the injuries. Pranab Das was seen walking 300 meters post-clash before being taken to a hospital. Dani was moved to a facility owned by his family after an alleged knee injury, while Sulata Deo stayed under observation despite being declared stable. Social media users criticized the incident as an attempt to garner public sympathy and media attention.

BJD Terms Police Action ‘Barbaric’, BJP Hits Back

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik condemned the police response, calling it “barbaric”, while BJD vice-president Pratap Jena accused male officers of physically mishandling women protestors. In contrast, a senior police officer dismissed the allegations as cheap publicity. BJP MLA Tankadhar Tripathi also weighed in, accusing the BJD of politicising a tragedy and reaffirming the government’s commitment to corrective action.

Political Tensions Widen Over Accountability and Optics

As Odisha mourns the student’s death, the incident has turned into a political flashpoint. The overlapping demands for a judicial inquiry and transparency about the leaders’ injuries have only intensified the rift between rival parties. The confrontation signals a growing divide in Odisha’s political climate, raising questions about responsibility, governance, and the role of public protest.

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