Latest news with #BijuJanataDal
Hans India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
BJD holds silent protest, seeks justice for student
Bhubaneswar: TheOpposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Friday staged a silent protest at Janata Maidan under the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Bhubaneswar, demanding justice for the girl student of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, who died after self-immolation over alleged sexual harassment by one of faculty members and college authorities' apathy. Hundreds of BJD workers, leaders and women activists gathered in silent protest, with black cloths tied around their mouths, holding placards and raising slogans seeking accountability and action against those responsible for the tragic incident at FM College. The party reiterated its demand for a judicial probe into the tragic death of the victim girl student of FM College and the resignation of the State Higher Education Minister for failing to help the victim. The party accused the BJP-led Union government and its representatives in the State of politicising the issue and diverting attention from the core injustice faced by the the gathering, BJD leaders said, 'We are here under the statue of Mahatma Gandhi to protest peacefully. Gandhiji taught us the power of non-violent resistance.' The protesters alleged that the BJP and its MPs have attempted to distort the narrative, misguiding the public while ignoring the emotional and social trauma that led the young girl to take the extreme step. 'This is not just about one college or one girl; it's about the systemic failure. Justice delayed is justice denied,' they added. The BJD also strongly condemned the police action during earlier protests, claiming that rubber bullets, water cannons and tear gas shells were used against peaceful protesters. 'If our daughters had been in that crowd, what would have happened to them? Such brutality is unacceptable,' a leader said. The party demanded strict action against those responsible for the girl's death and the officials involved in the alleged police excesses. 'We will continue our democratic fight until justice is served,' the leaders said.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Odisha government expedites POSH implementation across State
Jolted by a student's self-immolation following the alleged failure to redress her complaint of harassment, and the subsequent national outrage, the Odisha government on Friday (July 18, 2025) directed all colleges to sensitise teachers, non-teaching staff and students on the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, within three days. The State government also issued instructions to display the women's helpline number 181 at strategic locations on educational campuses. All universities and colleges have been asked to organise sensitisation workshops on the provisions of the POSH Act and the University Grants Commission (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of Sexual Harassment of Women Employees and Students in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2015. Since July 14, the State government has issued a series of directives to colleges, schools and government offices to constitute internal committees as mandated under the POSH Act. 'The State government is committed to ensuring the safety, dignity and empowerment of women in all educational and professional environment. District administrations are therefore expected to act with urgency and diligence to create a safe environment for girls and women and uphold the provisions of the law in both letter and spirit,' State Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja wrote in a letter addressed to all departments on Thursday (July 18, 2025). Mr. Ahuja also stressed on the constitution of internal complaint committees, capacity building and sensitisation, time-bound inquiry and redressal mechanisms, as well as annual reporting and transparency. Meanwhile, the Biju Janata Dal has announced a plan to organise a massive picketing of all Revenue Divisional Commissioners' offices on July 21.
Hans India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
BJD workers in scuffle with police at PMG
Bhubaneswar: The workers and leaders of Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Wednesday engaged in a scuffle with the Commissionerate Police at Lower PMG Square in Bhubaneswar while marching ahead to gherao the Lok Seva Bhavan, demanding justice for Fakir Mohan Autonomous College student, Soumyashree Bisi, who succumbed on Monday following self-immolation attempt last week over sexual harassment by a college faculty member. The police used water cannon and fired tear gas bullets to disperse the protesters who tried to march ahead by breaking the police barricade at the spot. Hundreds of BJD workers and leaders were also detained by the Commissionerate Police to bring the situation under control. The protest march began at Master Canteen Square and moved towards PMG Square, drawing large participation from party leaders, women members and supporters. The demonstration saw emotional appeals, slogans and placards demanding justice for the deceased student and stricter action against those responsible. Several BJD workers and leaders, including Pranab Prakash Das and Priti Ranjan Gharei, sustained injuries during the demonstration. The BJD leaders criticised the BJP-led State government for failing to ensure justice for the victim Soumyashree. The Opposition leaders criticised the inaction by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj and local administration leading to the unfortunate death of Soumyashree. The party also expressed grave concern over the increasing number of crimes against women across the State and called for immediate policy action and accountability. The party asserted that the demonstration is not just about one girl, but the safety and dignity of every woman in Odisha. The silence of those in power is unacceptable. The party has been demanding judicial inquiry under the chairmanship of a sitting judge of Orissa High Court into the self-immolation of Soumyashree and the resignation of the State Higher Education Minister. The BJD vice-President, Debi Prasad Mishra, said, 'this is the wrath of the people of Odisha. Biju Janata Dal, as the responsible Opposition party and the largest party of Odisha, we are resenting the heinous act in which a college student died and she had to resort to self-immolation.' He alleged that six months ago, Soumyashree had given her representation to the Internal Committee of the college. Mishra also said she also filed a complaint with Shadevkhunta Police on June 13 over the sexual harassment by Head of the Department, Samir Kumar Sahu. 'The Balasore Superintendent of Police and the Collector were aware of this but nobody paid any heed to it. On July 1, she also submitted her grievances to the Chief Minister, Union Education Minister, State Higher Education Minister, the local MLA but nobody responded to her. Even the local MP admitted that he did not take it seriously. This is ridiculous and condemnable,' he added.
United News of India
7 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Lok Seva Bhawan gherao over girl's death turns violent; several leaders injured
Bhubaneswar, July 16 (UNI) The Biju Janata Dal's (BJD) protest march to gherao the Lok Seva Bhawan over the death of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College student Soumyashree Bisi turned violent near Lower PMG Square today, leaving several party leaders and workers injured. The agitation, organized to demand a judicial probe into the incident and the resignation of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Higher Education Minister Suryavanshi Suraj, saw heated confrontations between BJD workers and the police. The Protesters held the government responsible for the alleged suicide of Soumyashree, a second-year student, who succumbed to burn injuries at AIIMS Bhubaneswar on the night of July 15 following a self immolation attempt on July 12. The police were forced to resort to the use of water cannons and tear gas to disperse hundreds of agitated party workers who broke through barricades and clashed with security personnel while attempting to march towards the state secretariat. Soumyashree had reportedly attempted self-immolation on the college campus on July 12, sustaining 90 percent burn injuries alleging mental and sexual harassment by Assistant Professor Samir Ranjan Sahoo who was suspended and subsequently arrested. The protest march, which included members of the BJD's student, youth, and women wings, began from Master Canteen Square. Holding placards and raising slogans, the protesters blamed the BJP-led state government for the tragedy and reiterated their demand for a judicial probe led by a sitting judge. Tensions escalated when demonstrators broke through the first police barricade and attempted to breach a second near Lower PMG Square. Clashes erupted, turning the area into a battleground. Despite repeated warnings, the agitators refused to retreat, prompting a stronger police response. Former BJD MLAs Pranab Prakash Das and Pritiranjan Ghadei were among those injured in the violence. Several women leaders of the party also sustained injuries during the clash. Police later detained hundreds of BJD leaders and workers who staged a sit-in, refusing to vacate the area. Simultaneously, the BJD observed an eight-hour bandh in Balasore district from 6 am to 2 pm, pressing for a judicial inquiry. The bandh disrupted normal life- shops, offices, and educational institutions remained shut, and vehicular movement was severely affected. BJD activists also staged 'rail roko' protests at Soro and Balasore railway stations, disrupting train services. The Odisha government has already ordered a Crime Branch investigation into the incident and announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 20 lakh to the family of the deceased student. Both FM College Principal Dillip Ghosh and Assistant Professor Samir Ranjan Sahoo have been suspended and arrested in connection with the case. In addition, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has constituted a four-member fact-finding committee headed by Professor Raj Mithal, with members Sushama Yadav, Nirja Gupta, and Asima Mangala. The panel has been directed to submit its report within a week. Meanwhile, the Congress and seven other Opposition parties- including the Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and various Left parties- have jointly called for a statewide Odisha Bandh on July 17. They are also demanding the resignation of the Chief Minister and the Higher Education Minister, and a judicial inquiry led by a sitting judge. BJD President Naveen Patnaik has strongly condemned the police's "brutal and inhuman attack" on the party leaders and workers during the Lokseva Bhawan Ghearo agitation. Patnaik described such police brutality on peaceful protesters as barbaric. He said in this incident, many BJD workers and common people were injured. He expressed grief over the news of injuries in the attack. The BJD supremo spoke to MP Sulata Deo, former minister Pranab Prakash Das, and Prithi Ranjan Ghadei, who were injured in the police attack, over the phone, inquired about their health and wished them a speedy recovery. UNI DP RKM
NDTV
15-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
"She Was Murdered": Father Of Odisha Woman Who Set Herself On Fire
Balasore: The father of the victim who died from self-immolation in Odisha's Balasore on Tuesday claimed that his daughter did not die by suicide but was murdered. He demanded that the state government treat the case as a murder and punish all those involved. Speaking to ANI, the victim's father said, "Everyone together forced my daughter to die. Isn't that murder? I believe it was a conspiracy because she used to raise her voice in college, and they didn't like it." Referring to her last visit to the college principal's office, the victim's father questioned the circumstances leading to her death. "They all conspired to force my daughter to commit suicide. Why did she commit suicide right after coming out of the Principal's room? Something must have happened inside. What happened inside? Why was she called in alone? Why wasn't I or my son called? I request the government to acknowledge that my daughter didn't die, she was killed, and everyone should be charged with murder," he said. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) will organise a protest rally on Wednesday in response to the death of a 20-year-old student, who died after setting herself on fire following repeated complaints of sexual harassment by a college teacher that were allegedly ignored. The party has also demanded Rs 1 crore compensation for the victim's family and a judicial inquiry into the incident. BJD MLA Goutam Buddha Das told ANI, "It is very unfortunate news that a girl from our constituency died due to self-immolation. The student was being harassed by her teacher. She complained to the college principal, went to the MPs, and tweeted the same to the CM and the education minister. No one listened to her. The government is responsible for this." "We have decided to close Balasore tomorrow. We will organise a protest rally. We demand that the family of the victim should get the compensation of Rs 1 crore, and a judicial inquiry should happen," he added. The 20-year-old student had allegedly faced prolonged sexual harassment by the Head of Department (HoD) at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore. Despite filing a formal complaint and seeking help from the college principal, her grievances reportedly went unheard, leading her to take the extreme step on campus last Saturday. She was initially admitted to the Balasore district hospital and later referred to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhubaneswar, where she succumbed to her burn injuries on Monday, hospital authorities said. In connection with the case, Fakir Mohan College's HoD, Samira Kumar Sahu, and Principal, Dilip Ghose, have been arrested.
