The Odisha Youth Congress, led by its president Ranjit Patra, conducted a symbolic funeral procession and effigy burning of Chief Minister Mohan Majhi and Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj outside the BJP state office in Bhubaneswar.
The protest was in response to the tragic suicide of Soumyashree Bishoi, a B.Ed. student at Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, who allegedly faced harassment by her department head for six months. Hundreds of Youth Congress activists participated in the demonstration, carrying two effigies made of flex boards representing the Chief Minister and the Higher Education Minister. The procession began at Ram Mandir and proceeded to the BJP office, with participants chanting “Ram Naam Satya Hai” and “Hari Naam Satya Hai” to symbolise the “death” of the state government’s accountability.
The Youth Congress claimed that the Mohan Majhi-led government has failed to ensure justice for Soumyashree, alleging that the administration ignored her repeated pleas for help.
According to Youth Congress leader Ranjit Patra, Soumyashree had approached multiple authorities, including the college principal, the Balasore MP, the Chief Minister, the State Education Minister, the Central Education Minister, and the district administration, seeking justice. However, no action was taken, and the student was driven to take her own life. Patra declared, “This government is in a state of death. Women are unsafe under this regime. The Mohan Majhi government failed to deliver justice to Soumyashree, and the college authorities remained silent despite her complaints.”
The Youth Congress further alleged that the incident exposed the “true face” of the BJP, the Mohan Majhi government, and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). They claimed that the college principal and the accused professor, both allegedly linked to ABVP, were honoured at a helpdesk event organised by the group, raising questions about their involvement. The organisation demanded the resignation of the Chief Minister and the Higher Education Minister, along with a judicial probe into the incident and punishment for all involved.
In a separate protest, the student wing of Congress gheraoed Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj’s official residence on the evening of July 15, hurling eggs and raising slogans against the government. They reiterated the demand for a judicial investigation and the minister’s resignation, condemning the administration’s inaction in the case.
The protests highlight growing public outrage over the state government’s handling of women’s safety and institutional accountability, with the Youth Congress vowing to continue their agitation until justice is served for Soumyashree Bishoi.
