BJD Calls 8-Hour Balasore Bandh Tomorrow Seeking Justice for FM College Student Soumyashree Bisi

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has announced an 8-hour bandh in Balasore on Wednesday (July 17) to demand justice for Soumyashree Bisi, a 20-year-old B.Ed student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, who succumbed to burn injuries following a tragic self-immolation incident.

Soumyashree set herself on fire on July 12 inside the college campus, allegedly in protest against administrative inaction on her harassment complaint against the Head of Department (HoD) Samir Kumar Sahu. She passed away late Monday night at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, after battling for life with over 90-95% burn injuries.

Bandh to Disrupt Normal Life in Balasore

The 8-hour shutdown is expected to impact daily life in Balasore, with:

• Shops, markets, and commercial establishments remaining shut
• Schools and colleges closed
• Public transport services suspended temporarily

However, essential services such as emergency medical care, hospitals, and ambulances will remain unaffected, the party clarified.

BJD to Gherao Lokseva Bhawan at 10 AM

Apart from the bandh, the BJD will stage a gherao (picketing) of Lokseva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar at 10 am tomorrow, pressing for strict action against those responsible for Soumyashree’s death.

BJD leaders have urged the people of Balasore to participate peacefully and express solidarity with the grieving family.

“This is not just about one girl. This is about every student’s right to safety and dignity in our institutions,” a senior BJD leader said.

ALSO READ| Balasore Tragedy: Odisha Student Who Self-Immolated Over Harassment Dies

Soumyashree had allegedly been facing continuous harassment from her department head, Samir Sahu. After repeated complaints went unaddressed, she poured petrol on herself and set herself on fire outside the principal’s office during a student protest. She was admitted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar in critical condition, where she died late on July 14.

• Samir Sahu was arrested on July 12
• Principal Dillip Ghosh was arrested on July 14 after suspension
• The incident has triggered statewide outrage and demands for a judicial probe

The Odisha government has ordered all colleges to form Internal Complaint Committees under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013, within 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and National Commission for Women (NCW) have both taken cognisance of the case, while Crime Branch is conducting a separate probe.

Get Latest News Live on MTIMES along with Breaking News and Top Headlines, Political News and around The World.

You May Like

Trending Searches Today |

PM Modi Sets $20 Billion Trade Target with Brazil by 2030

“India Struck Pakistan Hard and Smart”: Tharoor Praises Operation Sindoor in the US

Honeymoon Turns Tragic: Wife Sonam Arrested for Plotting Husband Murder, Meghalaya

Bridge Collapse in Vadodara: 10 Dead, Several Injured, Rescue Operations Underway

Shubhanshu Shukla to PM Modi from Space: “16 Sunrises, 16 Sunsets – Earth Has No Borders”

NEET-PG 2025 to Be Held on August 3: Supreme Court Allows NBE Extension, Denies Further Delay