Balasore, (July 15, OT Webdesk ) — The death of 20-year-old B.Ed student Soumyashree Bisi has sparked outrage and soul-searching across Odisha.
She succumbed to 95% burn injuries at AIIMS Bhubaneswar after self-immolating on July 12 in front of her college principal’s office—an extreme protest against the alleged sexual harassment by Professor Samir Kumar Sahu and the institution’s inaction.
Before taking this step, Soumyashree had filed repeated complaints with college authorities, the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), state education leadership, and even met Balasore MP Pratap Sarangi.
Despite the breadth of her outreach, her pleas were met with silence.
The incident has galvanised protests in Balasore and Bhubaneswar.
Odisha CM Mohan Majhi announced the arrest of Sahu and the suspension of Principal Dillip Kumar Ghosh, who was later arrested for abetting suicide.
In a swift directive, the Higher Education Department mandated the formation of ICCs in all colleges within 24 hours.
Former CM Naveen Patnaik’s call for accountability resonated deeply. Calling the tragedy a “grim reminder” of institutional apathy, he urged Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati to ensure those responsible face consequences.
Soumyashree’s death has ignited national attention, urging reforms in campus safety, complaint redressal, and institutional transparency, making it clear that the stakes of ignoring harassment are no longer tolerable.
