Bhubaneswar: Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today came down heavily on the BJP government in Odisha over the death 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 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 on social media.

"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 Bisi.

Also read: Odisha bandh on July 17 as Congress to stage agitation over FM College student's death.

Soumyashree, a B.Ed student, had attempted self-immolation on the college campus on July 12, alleging sexual harassment by the Head of the Department (HoD), Samir Kumar Sahu. She poured petrol on herself and set herself ablaze in front of the principal's chamber, reportedly after being distressed over inaction on her complaint against Sahu.

She suffered over 90 per cent burn injuries and was first rushed to Balasore Medical College before being shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for advanced treatment. Despite intensive medical efforts, including mechanical ventilation and renal replacement therapy, she was declared dead at 11:46 PM on July 14.

Before her extreme step, Soumyashree had staged a sit-in protest near the college, demanding action against Sahu. She was upset over the administration’s alleged inaction despite her formal complaint.

Sahu has been arrested by Sahadevkhunta Police following an FIR lodged under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Section 108 (abetment to suicide) and Section 75(1)(iii) (sexual harassment).