A 20-year-old second-year student of the integrated B.Ed programme at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore, Odisha, is battling for her life after she set herself on fire on Saturday. The student reportedly took the extreme step after alleging inaction over her repeated complaints of sexual harassment against a faculty member.
She suffered over 90% burns and is currently being treated at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, where doctors say her condition is extremely critical. She remains on ventilator support, with significant damage to her lungs and kidneys. A multidisciplinary team of doctors is monitoring her round the clock. The authorities are also considering shifting her to AIIMS Delhi, if her condition improves enough to allow safe transfer.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage across Odisha. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who visited AIIMS Bhubaneswar on Sunday, said strong action would be taken. He confirmed that the state government had suspended the accused faculty member, who is reportedly the head of a department, as well as the college principal.
Majhi also announced a three-member probe committee under the Higher Education Department to investigate the matter. The committee is expected to look into the alleged mishandling of the student’s complaint by the college administration, including the Internal Complaint Committee (ICC), and determine any lapses.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the case. It has directed the Director General of Police (DGP), Odisha, to ensure a fair investigation and to provide both medical and psychological support to the student. The NCW has also sought an action-taken report within three days.
Meanwhile, opposition parties including the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress have condemned the incident and demanded the resignation of the state’s Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj. Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has urged the Governor of Odisha, who is also the Chancellor of state universities, to intervene.
Protests broke out in Bhubaneswar ahead of President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to the state. The BJP, which currently governs Odisha, has accused the opposition of politicising the tragedy, asserting that it has already taken swift action.
A high-level enquiry is now underway. The three-member panel, led by the Director of Higher Education Kali Prasanna Mohapatra, includes Joint Secretary Mousumi Nayak and academic Jhumki Rath. The team has begun recording statements from college officials and reviewing documentation, including proceedings of the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC).
The incident has reignited public concern over the lack of effective redressal mechanisms for sexual harassment complaints in educational institutions across the state.
