BHUBANESWAR: A female undergraduate student is in critical condition after setting herself on fire inside a college corridor in Odisha’s Balasore district on Saturday, alleging that her sexual harassment complaint against a senior faculty member went ignored by authorities, police and officials said.
The incident occurred at Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, where the student had earlier accused assistant professor Samir Kumar Sahu, head of the education department, of sexual misconduct and intimidation. Sahu was arrested shortly after the self-immolation, while the college principal, Dilip Ghosh, was suspended pending further inquiry, according to officials from the Higher Education department. The student, who suffered 90% burns, was transferred to AIIMS Bhubaneswar in a critical condition. Two male students who attempted to rescue her also sustained burn injuries and are undergoing treatment.
The student had reportedly submitted a written complaint on July 1, alleging that Sahu demanded sexual favours and threatened to sabotage her academic progress if she refused. While the college formed an internal complaints committee, no disciplinary action was taken, prompting student protests across the campus.
Allegations have also surfaced that Balasore MP Pratap Sarangi was informed about the complaint but failed to act. The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) held a press conference blaming the college administration, local police, and Sarangi for ignoring the student’s pleas. “The inaction by the principal and lack of response from the MP pushed the student to the edge,” said a BJD spokesperson.
College authorities have denied wrongdoing, saying the internal committee did not find sufficient evidence. Students, however, allege that the committee lacked impartiality and failed to include student representatives.
The Higher Education department has constituted a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the handling of the case, amid mounting political pressure and public outrage.
This is the second such incident in recent months in Odisha. Earlier this year, a Nepalese student at a private university was found dead in her hostel room following repeated complaints of harassment by a male classmate. The latest case has intensified calls for reforms in college grievance redressal mechanisms and stronger safeguards for students facing harassment.