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Time of India
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Balasore girl who set herself on fire on campus over harassment dies
1 2 Bhubaneswar: A 20-year-old student, who set herself on fire protesting alleged inaction on her sexual harassment complaint against her department head in Balasore, tragically succumbed to her injuries late Monday night after a 60-hour battle for life, triggering massive protests from political parties. In a quick reaction, the Odisha govt arrested and suspended the concerned teacher. The principal was also arrested for trying to persuade the girl to withdraw her complaint. Despite the govt saying that the purview of the probe would expand in the case, her death intensified political blame game with opposition BJD and Congress alleging a "system failure" leading to the girl's untimely death. While the University Grants Commission (UGC) formed a fact-finding team, governor Hari Babu Kambhampati promised "uncompromising punishment" against those responsible. On Tuesday, chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced Rs 20 lakh interim aid for the bereaved family of the second-year integrated BEd student who poured petrol on herself inside the govt-run college in full public view and set herself on fire, moments after she met the principal. The girl initially reported the matter to the college principal on June 30 and posted her ordeal in a social media post, tagging authorities and reported the matter to the police on July 1. The student was initially rushed to Balasore district headquarters hospital following the incident on Saturday afternoon before being transferred to AIIMS Bhubaneswar, approximately 200 km away. Despite intensive medical intervention, including renal replacement therapy, she was declared clinically dead late on Monday, according to an AIIMS Bhubaneswar statement. The cremation was conducted at her native village in Balasore with family members and govt officials present amid palpable public anger and grief. Governor Kambhampati, who is also the chancellor of universities, took to X, expressing his anguish and emphasising the need for campus safety. "Her passing is not just a tragedy — it is a stark reminder of the urgent need to safeguard our campuses. The law will take its toughest course. Those responsible will face uncompromising punishment," he stated. After a high-level meeting chaired by deputy chief ministers KV Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, and attended by other ministers and MLAs, revenue minister Suresh Pujari announced the scope of the investigation would expand to include all those responsible. The incident sparked strong political reactions, with Congress calling for an Odisha bandh on Tuesday. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi termed it "an organised murder by the BJP's system", while former CM and opposition leader Naveen Patnaik described it as "institutional betrayal", urging the governor to ensure accountability. Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan countered Rahul, saying, "The cheap politics played by Rahul Gandhi and Congress on the tragic incident is extremely unfortunate. Turning a serious and sensitive matter into a political weapon reflects Rahul's petty mindset," he said. Countering Naveen, Balasore MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi drew a comparison between the current Majhi govt's swift response and the previous administration under Naveen, noting that crimes against women during the BJD leader's tenure did not receive such immediate attention or action.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Time of India
Balasore girl who set herself ablaze over harassment dies
Bhubaneswar: A 20-year-old student, who set herself on fire protesting alleged inaction on her sexual harassment complaint against her department head in Balasore, tragically succumbed to her injuries late Monday night after a 60-hour battle for life, triggering massive protests from political parties. The Odisha govt had earlier arrested and suspended the teacher concerned. The principal was also arrested for trying to persuade the girl to withdraw her complaint. Despite the govt saying that the purview of the probe would expand in the case, her death intensified political blame game with opposition BJD and Congress alleging a "system failure" leading to the girl's untimely death. While the University Grants Commission (UGC) formed a fact-finding team, governor Hari Babu Kambhampati promised "uncompromising punishment" against those responsible. On Tuesday, chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced Rs 20 lakh interim aid for the bereaved family of the second-year integrated BEd student who poured petrol on herself inside the govt-run college in full public view and set herself on fire, moments after she met the principal. The girl initially reported the matter to the college principal on June 30 and posted her ordeal in a social media post, tagging authorities and reported the matter to the police on July 1. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Seniors Are Ditching Finger Pricks with This Breakthrough Monitor Thelifeh Undo The student was initially rushed to Balasore district headquarters hospital following the incident on Saturday afternoon before being transferred to AIIMS Bhubaneswar, around 200km away. Despite intensive medical intervention, including renal replacement therapy, she was declared clinically dead late on Monday, according to an AIIMS Bhubaneswar statement. The cremation was conducted at her native village in Balasore with family members and govt officials present amid palpable public anger and grief. Governor Kambhampati, who is also chancellor of universities, took to X, expressing his anguish and emphasising the need for campus safety. "Her passing is not just a tragedy — it is a stark reminder of the urgent need to safeguard our campuses. The law will take its toughest course. Those responsible will face uncompromising punishment," he stated. After a high-level meeting chaired by deputy chief ministers KV Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, and attended by other ministers and MLAs, revenue minister Suresh Pujari announced the scope of the investigation would expand to include all those responsible. The incident sparked strong political reactions, with Congress calling for an Odisha bandh on Tuesday. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi termed it "an organised murder by the BJP's system", while former CM and opposition leader Naveen Patnaik described it as "institutional betrayal", urging the governor to ensure accountability. Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan countered Rahul, saying, "The cheap politics played by Rahul Gandhi and Congress on the tragic incident is extremely unfortunate. Turning a serious and sensitive matter into a political weapon reflects Rahul's petty mindset," he said. Countering Naveen, Balasore MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi drew a comparison between the current Majhi govt's swift response and the previous administration under Naveen, noting that crimes against women during the BJD leader's tenure did not receive such immediate attention or action.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
HC raises concerns over delay in appointing permanent VC of Utkal varsity
Cuttack: Orissa high court has raised concerns over the delay in appointing a permanent vice-chancellor (VC) for Utkal University and questioned the legality of the interim appointment made by the chancellor, governor Hari Babu Kambhampati. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The post has remained vacant since Nov 24, 2024, following the end of the previous VC's term. On May 27, 2025, the chancellor appointed Jagneshwar Dandapat, a senior professor at the university's biotechnology department, as the in-charge VC. However, a PIL filed by high court lawyer and Utkal University alumnus Prabir Kumar Das challenged the appointment, alleging a violation of the Odisha Universities Act, 1989. The petition contended that the notification did not comply with the provisions of Section 6(10) of the Act which outlines the procedure for appointing an acting VC. Taking note of the issue, a division bench, comprising Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice M S Raman, observed on July 8 that the recent amendment to the Act, notified on April 17, 2025, allows the chancellor, in consultation with the state govt, to appoint any sitting VC of a public university in Odisha as a stopgap arrangement, with a maximum term of one year. The state govt informed the court that following a Supreme Court directive, the process for appointing permanent VCs across universities has already begun and will be completed shortly. While appreciating the state's response, the court stressed that 'the provisions of the law must be respected and followed in letter and spirit'. Advocate general Pitambar Acharya assured the bench that he would personally look into the matter and take corrective measures if any violation is found. The bench posted the matter for further hearing on July 23, directing the state to take 'appropriate steps' by then.
New Indian Express
05-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
BJD demands judicial probe into Rath Yatra ‘mess', stampede deaths
BHUBANESWAR: The BJD on Friday demanded a judicial probe, monitored by a sitting judge of the Orissa High Court, into the mismanagement of Rath Yatra which led to the stampede near Gundicha temple and death of three devotees on June 29. In a memorandum submitted to Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, a delegation of senior party leaders said the administrative inquiry ordered by development commissioner Anu Garg was grossly inadequate and not commensurate with the seriousness of the tragedy. They alleged that the Rath Yatra this year was marked by gross mismanagement in conduct of rituals as a result of which Nandighosha, the chariot of Lord Jagannath, could not be pulled till 7.45 pm. The BJD leaders also demanded constitution of the managing committee of Shree Jagannath temple without further delay. 'The temple has been functioning without the statutory managing committee (MC) for the past eight months, disrupting key administrative and policy decisions. As mandated under the Shree Jagannath Temple Act, 1954, the MC is crucial for approving matters related to rituals, finance and temple management. Its absence has led to the mess and chaos,' they said. They also brought to the Governor's notice the severe traffic and crowd mismanagement during Rath Yatra and alleged that distribution of over 10,000 cordon passes by the ruling BJP to its supporters was the major cause behind the disruption. They urged the Governor to personally intervene and ensure that the remaining rituals of Rath Yatra are conducted smoothly.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
BJD seeks judicial probe into Puri stampede; bid to politicise tragedy: BJP
Bhubaneswar: BJD on Friday sought a judicial probe into the June 29 stampede outside Gundicha Temple in Puri that resulted in the death of three devotees, drawing fire from BJP for trying to politicise the tragedy. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A BJD delegation of MLAs, former ministers and senior leaders, submitted a memorandum to governor Hari Babu Kambhampati at Raj Bhavan, highlighting alleged mismanagement in Rath Yatra. "It is deeply distressing to see the poor management of Rath Yatra. A series of grave incidents, including the misuse of cordon passes, traffic mismanagement, faulty crowd control measures and fatal stampede deeply hurt the sentiments of devotees across the globe," former minister Debi Prasad Mishra said. Pratap Jena, another former minister, criticised the govt's administrative investigation, saying, "We believe this administrative inquiry is grossly inadequate. We humbly urge the immediate initiation of a judicial inquiry, monitored by a sitting judge of Orissa high court to ensure full accountability and justice for the victims." Law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said the govt had promptly intervened and has taken disciplinary action against those responsible. "The administrative inquiry is under way by the development commissioner. BJD has stooped low to elicit cheap political mileage from the tragic incident. Mismanagement in temple related matters was at the worst during the BJD govt's tenure," Harichandan said. In a related development, the govt has requested public assistance in sharing information and evidence regarding the Puri stampede by July 20. Through a public notice, the state planning and convergence department requested people to share details, video footage or other materials for a thorough investigation.
