On Wednesday, protests broke out in Odisha’s Balasore district after a 20-year-old, second-year B.Ed student from Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College died following a self-immolation attempt on Saturday, July 12, 2025 which was allegedly triggered by prolonged sexual harassment and institutional inaction.
Markets and educational institutions remained shut and traffic was minimal as a bandh called by the Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) took effect across Odisha's Balasore district. The protest was in response to the death of the college student, who succumbed to her injuries at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar on Monday night after battling for her life for three days.
The bandh, which began at 6 a.m, is scheduled to continue until 2 p.m.
Hundreds of BJD members blocked major roads of the district by burning tyres, they were also armed with party flags. The police stated that the traffic on the national highway passing through the district was being regulated in view of the protests.
Apart from Balasore town, BJD workers were holding demonstrations in places like Jaleswar, Basta, Soro, Baliapal and Bhograi since morning.
"People are very angry over the denial of justice to the student who ultimately set herself on fire and died," said BJD leader Debi Prasad Mishra.
He further added that the party will continue the agitation across the state till the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government announces a judicial probe into the incident.
The protestors have also demanded the resignation of Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, accusing them of failing to provide justice to the 20-year-old student. The principal of the college and the accused have been arrested by the police.
