Bhubaneswar: Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spoke to the father of Soumyashree Bisi, a 20-year-old student of Fakir Mohan (FM) Autonomous College in Balasore, who attempted self-immolation over alleged harassment and later succumbed to burn injuries at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.

The tragic incident, which has sparked widespread protests in Odisha, prompted the Congress leader to reach out to the grieving family.

Taking to social media after the telephonic conversation, Gandhi expressed deep sorrow and solidarity with the family. He assured that both he and the Congress party would support the family in their pursuit of justice.

"Spoke with the father of the brave daughter who lost her life in the fight for justice in Balasore, Odisha. In his voice, I felt his daughter's pain, dreams, and struggle. Assured him that the Congress Party and I stand with them at every step. What happened is not only inhuman and shameful, but also a wound to the entire society. We will ensure in every way that the victim's family receives full justice," Gandhi posted on social media.

Gandhi yesterday came down heavily on the BJP government in Odisha over the death of Soumyashree. The death of a daughter fighting for justice in Odisha is nothing less than a murder by the BJP's system, Gandhi said in a statement.

"That brave student raised her voice against sexual harassment. But instead of justice, she was threatened, tormented, and repeatedly humiliated. Those who were supposed to protect her kept breaking her," the Congress leader said.

"As always, the BJP's system continued to shield the accused and forced an innocent daughter to set herself on fire. This is not suicide; it is an organised murder by the system," he said.

Gandhi also questioned the 'silence' of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over incidents of crime against women across the country.

"Modi ji, whether in Odisha or Manipur, the daughters of the nation are burning, breaking, and dying. And you remain silent. The country doesn't need your silence; it needs answers. India's daughters need safety and justice," he added.

The Odisha Congress has called for a statewide bandh on July 17 to protest the alleged harassment of Soumyashree.