Bhubaneswar, July 15: The Odisha Congress has called for a statewide bandh on July 17 to protest the alleged sexual harassment and tragic death of 20-year-old B.Ed. student Soumyashree Bisi, who died after attempting self-immolation inside the Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College campus in Balasore.

Soumyashree had sustained 90-95% burn injuries on July 12 and passed away late Monday night at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. She had earlier accused her college’s Head of Department, Samir Kumar Sahu, of sexually harassing her. Despite raising her voice and staging a sit-in outside the college, no action was taken, leading her to take the extreme step.

Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das announced the bandh at a press conference, claiming support from eight other political parties, including the Left and NCP. He held the state government responsible for failing to ensure justice and protection for women and students, stating, “This is not suicide; this is murder.”

Following Soumyashree’s death, police arrested Sahu under abetment to suicide and sexual harassment charges. The suspended principal, Dilip Ghosh, was also taken into custody. Shops, educational institutions, and markets are expected to remain closed during the protest.

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