Student Sets Herself on Fire in Odisha College Over Alleged Sexual Harassment

In a heart-wrenching incident that has sent shockwaves across Odisha, a 20-year-old second-year B.Ed. student, Soumyashri Bisi, set herself on fire at Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore on Saturday, July 12, 2025, in a desperate protest against alleged sexual harassment by her Head of Department (HOD), Samir Kumar Sahu. The tragic act, which unfolded in the college’s administrative block, has left Bisi with 90-95% burn injuries, and she is currently battling for her life at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. A male student who heroically attempted to douse the flames also sustained severe burns and is under treatment at a local hospital.

The incident occurred shortly after Bisi met with the college principal, Dilip Ghosh, to discuss her grievances against Sahu. According to sources close to the student, Sahu had allegedly been harassing her for months, demanding sexual favors and threatening to manipulate her academic marks if she refused to comply. Bisi had lodged a formal complaint with the college’s internal complaints committee on July 1, but the committee reportedly dismissed her allegations, citing insufficient evidence. The lack of action and continued pressure from Sahu allegedly pushed Bisi to the edge, leading to her drastic step.

Eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos as Bisi poured kerosene over herself and ignited it in the college courtyard, screaming about the injustice she faced. Students and faculty rushed to extinguish the flames, but not before she suffered catastrophic injuries. The male student who intervened, identified as 21-year-old Rakesh Behera, sustained 40% burns and is in stable but serious condition. The college was temporarily shut down as police and emergency services arrived at the scene.

The Balasore police have registered a case against Sahu under sections for abetment of suicide and sexual harassment, and he was taken into custody for questioning. Preliminary investigations revealed that Bisi had confided in friends about the harassment, and some students corroborated her claims, alleging a pattern of inappropriate behavior by Sahu toward female students. The college administration has come under fire for its handling of the complaint, with protesters, including student unions and women’s rights groups, gathering outside the campus demanding justice and systemic reforms.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi condemned the incident and assured strict action against those responsible. “This is a tragic loss, and we stand with the victim’s family. A high-level inquiry has been ordered,” he said in a statement. The state government has also announced an ex gratia payment of ₹5 lakh for Bisi’s family and promised to cover her medical expenses. Meanwhile, AIIMS Bhubaneswar has formed an eight-member expert team to oversee her treatment, though doctors remain cautious about her prognosis due to the severity of her burns.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage on social media platforms like X, with hashtags like #JusticeForSoumyashri trending as users demand accountability and stronger measures to combat sexual harassment in educational institutions. Activists are calling for mandatory sensitization programs and stricter oversight of internal complaints committees. As the investigation unfolds, this tragedy underscores the urgent need for systemic change to protect students and ensure justice.