Water cannons fired, BJD workers detained as protests rock Odisha over student’s suicide

THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK

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Bhubaneswar, July 16: Tensions escalated across Odisha on Wednesday as protests intensified over the tragic death of a 20-year-old student who died after setting herself ablaze, allegedly in response to prolonged sexual harassment by her college teacher.

As public anger mounted, police detained several Biju Janata Dal (BJD) workers and used water cannons and tear gas to break up demonstrations outside the Odisha Assembly.

The incident triggered widespread protests across the state. The BJD, now in opposition, has enforced an eight-hour bandh in Balasore, burning tyres and blocking roads to demand accountability.

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Protesters accused the Odisha government of complete inaction, holding Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj responsible and demanding their resignation.

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Security was beefed up around key government buildings, including the Lok Seva Bhavan in Bhubaneswar, in anticipation of further unrest. Outside the state Assembly, dramatic scenes unfolded as protestors tried to breach police barricades, prompting a forceful response from security personnel.

Amid mounting pressure, the BJD has called for a judicial inquiry into the incident, while a larger coalition of opposition parties, including the Congress, has announced a statewide bandh on Thursday, July 17, to demand justice and systemic reforms.

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The deceased was a student of Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore. She had reportedly faced repeated sexual harassment at the hands of her Head of Department. Despite filing a formal complaint and seeking help from the principal, her grievances were ignored, ultimately pushing her to take the extreme step.

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