Odisha Bandh on July 17: Congress Demands Justice for Soumyashree

The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) has announced a statewide bandh on July 17, demanding justice for Soumyashree, a B.Ed student from FM College, Balasore, who tragically died after allegedly setting herself on fire in protest against sexual harassment.

OPCC President Bhakta Charan Das informed journalists that the bandh is a collective call from eight opposition parties, including Congress, to protest what they describe as a systemic failure and political shielding of the accused. Das alleged that the student was harassed by a faculty member affiliated with the ABVP, and despite her cries for help, no action was taken.

“Everyone watched as she burned. No one intervened. This government has lost its moral right to remain in power,” Das stated, adding that schools, colleges, shops, and markets will remain closed during the bandh.

On the eve of the protest, candlelight vigils will be held across cities to honour Soumyashree’s memory and pray for her soul.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also weighed in, calling the incident an organised murder by the BJP’s system. “She was threatened, humiliated, and broken by those meant to protect her. Modi ji, whether in Odisha or Manipur, daughters of India are burning—and you remain silent,” he said.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with citizens and political leaders demanding accountability, justice, and systemic reform to ensure safety for women in educational institutions.

ओडिशा में इंसाफ़ के लिए लड़ती एक बेटी की मौत, सीधे-सीधे BJP के सिस्टम द्वारा की गई हत्या है।

उस बहादुर छात्रा ने यौन शोषण के ख़िलाफ़ आवाज़ उठाई – लेकिन न्याय देने के बजाय, उसे धमकाया गया, प्रताड़ित किया गया, बार-बार अपमानित किया गया।

जिन्हें उसकी रक्षा करनी थी, वही उसे तोड़ते…

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 15, 2025