Latest news with #Soumyashree
Hans India
5 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.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
ABVP protests in Rewa, Harda over Odisha student's suicide
Bhopal: Members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) held protests in various districts of Madhya Pradesh, including Rewa and Harda, over the suicide of Soumyashree Bishi, a student of Fakir Mohan Mahavidyalaya in Balasore, Odisha. In Rewa, ABVP members gathered at College Square on Tuesday, organised a tribute meeting, and raised slogans demanding justice. In Harda, the protest intensified as ABVP workers burnt an effigy of Sameer Sahu, the head of the department accused of sexually harassing the student, in front of Government Swami Vivekananda Mahavidyalaya. ABVP's district coordinator in Harda, Sudhan Mankar, told the media that the incident was the result of administrative insensitivity and inaction. He added that Soumyashree's life could have been saved if timely action had been taken. Narmadapuram division student leader Lishika was quoted by a section of media saying said Soumyashree had previously lodged a complaint against the HOD for sexual harassment, but the college administration failed to act. Under mental distress, the student ultimately died by suicide on July 13 after being admitted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like [속보]'한 달만에 5cm 성장!?' 2개월치 무료증정 압도적 키성장 1위! 아이클타임 더 알아보기 Undo The ABVP has demanded strict action against the accused and called on the central government to make the formation of Internal Complaints Committees (ICC) mandatory in all colleges across the country. The organisation warned that if swift action is not taken, the protests will be intensified.
United News of India
6 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
India Gazette
15-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
An Institutional Murder: NSUI demands justice for Balasore self-immolation victim
New Delhi [India], July 15 (ANI): The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) has demanded justice for Soumyashree, a 20-year-old student of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, Balasore, who self-immolated herself in protest over sexual harassment by her Head of the Department. According to an official press release, 'The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) is devastated, enraged, and deeply shaken by the tragic death of Soumyashree, a 20-year-old student of FM College, Balasore, who set herself ablaze after months of unbearable trauma and institutional silence.' The NSUI has alleged institutional silence and apathy from the college administration and the Odisha Government, and has called for immediate action against the accused and those who failed to protect Soumyashree. 'Soumyashree was a victim of sexual harassment at the hands of a faculty member. She cried out for help, pleaded for justice, but was met with indifference and apathy. The Odisha Government, the college administration, and a system controlled by BJP-backed appointees failed her at every step. From the Chief Minister's chair to the district administration, not a single authority acted to protect her.', the release stated. The NSUI has alleged that Soumyashree's pleas for help were met with indifference and apathy by the authorities, including the college administration and the district administration, which are claimed to be controlled by BJP-backed appointees. 'Adding to the disgrace is the silence of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) the very student organization Soumyashree was a part of. ABVP failed its own member. Not only did they ignore her cries for justice, but they are now shamelessly attempting to spread false narratives and deflect blame. Their silence when she needed them most, and their lies now, are acts of betrayal. 'Let it be stated unequivocally No NSUI office bearer is involved in this case. These baseless accusations are not just false they are an insult to Soumyashree's memory and a vile attempt to shield the real perpetrators,' the release read. According to the release, NSUI alleged, 'This is not just a tragedy. This is institutional murder. NSUI stands firmly with Soumyashree and her family. We demand immediate arrest and prosecution of the accused faculty member, an independent judicial probe into the role of college authorities and administrative cover-up, suspension of officials and staff who ignored Soumyashree's repeated complaints and accountability from the Odisha Government and BJP-backed machinery that allowed this injustice. NSUI will fight for justice for Soumyashree.' Meanwhile, the Odisha State Congress President Bhakta Charan Das has called for a statewide 'bandh' on July 17 in protest against the death of the student. Das demanded the resignation of the State Education Minister, local MLA and MP over the death of the Balasore student. 'Our demand is that the Education Minister, the MLA, and the MP--all three--should resign, and their party should expel all three... On the 17th, we have called for an Odisha bandh, and we appeal to all sections to support it,' Das told ANI. The Odisha Congress Chief noted that the victim, even after complaining at multiple forums, did not get justice. 'The student knocked on every door for justice and even got an FIR registered... but she did not get justice... She even went to the MLA. The MLA could have ensured justice for her, but he did not do so... The MP also did not take this matter seriously... Was it not their responsibility to take this matter seriously? ... If even a little action had been taken, the situation would not have come to the point where that student had to take her own life... The government did not even realise that this is their responsibility,' he added. The 20-year-old student set herself on fire after allegedly facing prolonged sexual harassment by her college's Head of Department. Despite lodging a formal complaint and seeking help from the principal, her pleas were ignored, leading to the tragic incident. The incident occurred at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College. (ANI)
