A tragic incident at Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, Odisha, has ignited widespread outrage. On July 12, a second-year B.Ed student set herself ablaze outside the principal’s office, alleging persistent sexual harassment by a senior professor and inaction by college authorities. With 95% burns, she was air-lifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar but succumbed to her injuries on July 14 a death described by Rahul Gandhi as “systematic murder” rather than suicide.

Arrests were made swiftly: the accused faculty member and the college principal have both been arrested, and the Higher Education Department has launched a high-level inquiry chaired by a woman officer. The National Commission for Women stepped in, demanding a prompt and thorough report on the incident.

The incident has united opposition parties in Odisha. Congress and BJD workers have staged protests including gheraos and a statewide bandh planned for July 17 to demand justice and systemic reforms. The governor and President Murmu have publicly expressed concern, and political leaders are pressing for strengthened campus safety measures nationwide.

This heartbreaking event has sparked intense scrutiny of institutional mechanisms meant to protect students and sparked discussions on accountability in educational institutions.