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Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Odisha student dies after self-immolation. Why did she take the extreme step?
A 20-year-old woman student of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Odisha's Balasore, who had set herself ablaze over alleged sexual harassment by a professor, died on Monday night. Balasore: Police personnel investigate after a female student allegedly set herself on fire over sexual harassment at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College, in Balasore district, Odisha, Saturday, July 12, 2025.(PTI) The second-year Integrated student of Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College had set herself on fire on Saturday, protesting official inaction on her allegations of sexual harassment by the professor in her college. "The patient was brought to the casualty on July 12 at 5:15 PM by her friend and was resuscitated with IV fluids, IV antibiotics, intubated and put on mechanical ventilation. Despite adequate resuscitation and all possible supportive management, including renal replacement therapy at Burns ICU, she could not be revived and was declared clinically dead at 11:46 PM on July 14," said a medical bulletin issued by AIIMS Bhubaneswar on Tuesday morning. On Monday evening, President Droupadi Murmu visited the victim in the burns ward in AIIMS Bhubaneswar and met the parents of the girl, assuring all help in her treatment. Also Read | Odisha governor seeks update on why Balasore student attempted self-immolation Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, who was also present during the President's visit, asked the state government to act with urgency, empathy and a sense of responsibility to prevent such incidents. Why did she take the extreme step? The student set herself afire on Saturday just outside the chamber of the college principal after an Internal Complaints Committee of the institution gave a clean chit to the head of the education department, Samir Kumar Sahu, in the sexual harassment charges brought in by her a fortnight ago. In her complaint, the girl accused Sahu of making sexual advances against her and then threatening to fail her in examinations if she did not give in to her demands. The girl, an active member of RSS-controlled Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, had apprised CM Majhi, union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, national commission for women as well as district police officials about her plight. The victim's father, a clerk in a local college, said his daughter wanted him to lodge an FIR with local police last week as she did not trust the inquiry process of the college authorities into her sexual harassment allegations. On Monday, police arrested Dilip Ghosh, the principal of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, who was suspended amid reports that he shielded Sahu from the sexual harassment charges, and even went to the extent of threatening the 20-year-old victim with rustication. Sahu was arrested by the police soon after the girl immolated herself. The girl's father said his daughter was being harassed by Sahu over the last six months, citing her low attendance. 'She was not keeping well and also had to come back home due to deaths in the family. She also took part in self-defence training sessions in the college as she was a master trainer. When my daughter approached him for improving her attendance, the professor asked her for sexual favours,' he said, adding that his daughter twice attempted to end her life over the serial harassment by the professor.
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Odisha student dies after self-immolation over inaction after sexual harassment allegation
The 20-year-old woman student of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, who had attempted self-immolation, succumbed to her injuries late Monday night at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. The student set herself on fire on Saturday, protesting official inaction on her allegations of sexual harassment by a professor in her college. The student set herself on fire on Saturday protesting official inaction on her allegations of sexual harassment by a professor in her college. (PTI) "The patient was brought to the casualty on July 12 at 5:15 PM by her friend and was resuscitated with IV fluids, IV antibiotics, intubated and put on mechanical ventilation. Despite adequate resuscitation and all possible supportive management, including renal replacement therapy at Burns ICU, she could not be revived and was declared clinically dead at 11:46 PM on July 14," said a medical bulletin issued by AIIMS Bhubaneswar on Tuesday morning. Expressing his grief, Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi vowed stringent action against the culprits. 'I assure the family that all those guilty will face the strictest punishment as per the law,' he said in X. On Monday evening, President Droupadi Murmu had visited the victim in the burns ward in AIIMS Bhubaneswar and met the parents of the girl assuring all help in her treatment. Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, who was also present during the President's visit, asked the state government to act with urgency, empathy and a sense of responsibility to prevent such incidents. "The safety, mental well-being, and dignity of students must be protected at all times," he wrote on X. What is the case? The victim, a second-year student of (integrated) at the Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, set herself afire on Saturday just outside the chamber of the college principal. The action came after an Internal Complaints Committee of the institution gave a clean chit to the head of the education department, Samir Kumar Sahu, in the sexual harassment charges brought in by her a fortnight ago. In her complaint, the girl accused Sahu of making sexual advances against her and then threatening to fail her in examinations if she did not give in to her demands. The girl, an active member of RSS-controlled Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, had apprised CM Majhi, union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, national commission for women as well as district police officials about her plight. The victim's father, a clerk in a local college, said his daughter wanted him to lodge an FIR with local police last week as she did not trust the inquiry process of the college authorities into her sexual harassment allegations. On Monday, police arrested Dilip Ghosh, the principal of Fakir Mohan autonomous college in Balasore, who was suspended amid reports that he shielded Sahu from the sexual harassment charges, and even went to the extent of threatening the 20-year-old victim with rustication. Sahu has already been arrested by the police soon after the girl immolated herself. The National Commission for Women also took suo motu cognizance of the case on July 13, demanding an action report within three days. The incident has led to massive protests across the state. On Monday, the BJD's student and wings staged protests outside Fakir Mohan College while Congress leaders in Balasore gheraoed the office of the district collector. On Sunday, the opposition parties attempted to gherao Chief Minister Mohan Majhi's residence, demanding his resignation along with higher education minister Suraj Suryabanshi, and union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. On Monday, the Odisha government today directed all the universities and colleges to form Internal Committees under Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013 within 24 hours and display the name and contact number of all IC members in a conspicuous place for the general awareness. Meanwhile, as the Balasore police and a team from state CID continued their probe into the incident, friends of the victim, her father as well as officials of the Fakir Mohan college said the girl's ordeal of sexual and mental harassment at the hands of Sahu, started around six months ago when he made sexual advances against the 20-year-old. "Though she kept silent for a few days, she later confided it to her friends. However, the professor continued with the harassment. When she refused to entertain his demand, what followed was harassment on a daily basis. He humiliated my daughter in class every day, even if she was late by a few minutes, and made her stand outside the class. She told us that he had deliberately failed her in internal exams and she had filled up a form to appear for the back paper exam on Wednesday last. The boys in her class would pass lewd comments at her on the campus at the behest of Sahoo. They taunted her over her ambition to stand in the students' union election. But her complaint was not taken seriously,' her father alleged. The girl's father said his daughter was being harassed by Sahu over the last six months, citing her low attendance. 'She was not keeping well and also had to come back home due to deaths in the family. She also took part in self-defence training sessions in the college as she was a master trainer. When my daughter approached him for improving her attendance, the professor asked her for sexual favours,' he said, adding that his daughter twice attempted to end her life over the serial harassment by the professor. The victim wanted to meet higher education minister Suraj Suryabanshi through the local MLA, but the meeting could not be arranged. On June 25, she opened an X account and tweeted about her ordeal to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, union education minister, Higher Education minister Suryabanshi Suraj, Balasore district administration, MP Pratap Sarangi, local MLA Manas Kumar Dutta, Balasore SP Raj Prasad and the NCW. However, the tweet went unnoticed. On June 30, the professor allegedly stopped the victim from appearing for an internal examination on the pretext of low attendance. The same day she and her friends in ABVP wrote a letter to the college principal detailing the harassment and requested for formation of a inquiry committee. "When the principal did not take any action, the next day ABVP members locked the college gate demanding action following which police had to be called in. A meeting was held in the chamber of the principal Ghosh where he announced formation of an internal complaints committee as per POSH guidelines. The college did not have a complaint committee till then. The victim was then asked to write another complaint addressed to the committee which she did. But unsure of the action by the principal, she met Balasore MP Pratap Sarangi the same day who called up the principal seeking a quick probe," said a friend of the victim. Seven days after the meeting, the girl met the principal wanting to know the progress of the probe and action against Sahu, but she did not get any answer. Balasore SP Raj Prasad said though the principal on July 1 had assured the police that the probe will be finished within five days report would be given to the police, it was not complied. The principal also did not inform the Higher Education department about the complaint. The ICC finally submitted its report on July 10 which cleared Sahu of the allegations. 'The ICC which inquired into the incident did not understood the nitty gritty of the investigation process and the report seemed ambiguous. The ICC randomly selected students and seemed to be making a perfunctory attempt. The principal should not have allowed the professor to work in the campus even while the ICC inquiry was on. The victim was also not given any counselling which likely led her to the conclusion that the probe was a sham,' said a higher education official who probed into the incident. Although there were three student members in the ICC, they were not present during the inquiry because of their ongoing exams. On July 10, the girl spoke to her father, expressing despair over the college's inaction. 'They will not let me exist peacefully,' she told him. On Saturday, the girl went to the principal Dilip Ghosh's chamber seeking action against Sahu where the principal told her that the ICC inquiry found nothing against the professor and pressurised her to withdraw her complaint with the internal complaints committee. 'My daughter's friends said the principal told her that the ICC had found all evidence against her and asked her to withdraw the complaint, else, she would be rusticated from the college. She must have felt all options closing for her that moment,' said the girl's father.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
"Part Of Our Culture": Kerala Governor Backs 'Guru Puja' Amid Row
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Sunday strongly defended the practice of 'guru puja' observed by a section of people, saying that "offering flowers at the feet of teachers is part of Indian culture". His remarks came a day after the CPI(M)-led LDF government strongly criticised the recent performance of 'pada puja' (feet washing rituals) in two CBSE schools in the state. He questioned the criticism directed at the ritual and asked, "I don't understand which culture these people come from". The state government sought an explanation from the management of these schools. State General Education Minister V Sivankutty on Saturday expressed shock over reports that students were made to wash the feet of retired teachers. He termed the act "condemnable" and "against democratic values". "Guru puja is part of our culture, where we offer flowers at the feet of our gurus... But some people have objected to it. I don't understand which culture they belong to," the Governor said while speaking at a programme organised by Balagokulam, a right-wing outfit, in Balaramapuram. Highlighting the importance of "honouring teachers", Arlekar said gurus are "great souls" and "deserve respect". "If we forget our culture, we forget ourselves-we'll be nowhere in this world," he claimed. Meanwhile, CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan strongly criticised the ritual, calling it part of an alleged "RSS agenda to erode Kerala's secular and democratic fabric." "No one is against respecting or honouring teachers," he said, adding, "But this ritual, which was abandoned centuries ago, is rooted in feudal culture and aims to revive chaturvarnya, the ancient caste system." He further alleged that such practices "aim to instil a slave mentality in the younger generation, especially in RSS-controlled schools." Media reports said 'pada puja' ceremonies were held in two CBSE schools under the Bharatheeya Vidyanikethan management in Kasaragod and Mavelikkara on Guru Purnima Day, observed last Thursday. Minister Sivankutty said the Director of Public Instruction (DPI) had been directed to seek explanations from the schools. "Practices that promote a slave mentality are unacceptable under any circumstances. Education must instil knowledge and self-awareness," he stated. He added that the Department of General Education has the authority to act against schools under any syllabus that violates the Right to Education Act and related regulations. The ruling CPI(M)'s student wing, Students' Federation of India (SFI), and the Opposition Congress's student outfit, Kerala Students' Union (KSU), also condemned the ritual and demanded action against the school managements.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Students washing teachers' feet: Kerala education minister condemns act
1 2 T'puram: General education minister V Sivankutty on Saturday condemned the act by certain schools run by Bharatheeya Vidya Nikethan where students were allegedly made to wash the feet of teachers to mark Guru Purnima on Thursday. Even as Sivankutty said an explanation would be sought from the school management, reports of similar incidents emerged from other parts of the state. Ruling CPM's student outfit SFI, meanwhile, said the 'condemnable' ritual was held in RSS-controlled schools. "The govt views with great seriousness the news that students were made to wash teachers' feet in some schools run by Bharatiya Vidya Niketan. This act is contrary to democratic values and is worthy of protest. Education is meant to foster scientific awareness and progressive thinking in children. Such actions undermine the fundamental goals of our educational system," Sivankutty said. Reports said similar rituals were performed at Saraswati Vidyalaya in Kasaragod's Bhandadka, Vidyadhiraja Vidyapeetom Sainik School in Mavelikkara and Vivekananda Vidya Peedom in Attuva near Nooranad, both in Alappuzha. Describing the act as "extremely shocking", the minister said the public education director was instructed to promptly seek explanations from these schools, which follow CBSE syllabus. "Practices that instil a servile mindset in students cannot be accepted under any circumstances. Education should impart knowledge and self-awareness. Education is a right that was fought for and won from a time when it was denied based on caste. This right should not be surrendered to anyone. Strict measures will be taken to prevent such activities from being repeated in educational institutions," Sivankutty said. He added the govt had the authority to take action against any schools, regardless of syllabus, that do not comply with the Right to Education Act and regulations. Milk and rosewater used At Vidyadhiraja Vidyapeetom Sainik School in Mavelikkara, students honoured 101 teachers by washing their feet with milk, rosewater and water. They later applied vermilion and sandalwood and offered flowers. The children chanted Guru mantras, bowed down and offered prayers. They also honoured them with Ponnada and Bhagavad Gita and received their blessings. At Vivekananda Vidya Peedom in Attuva near Nooranad, a local BJP leader also allegedly took part in 'pada pooja' along with the teachers. Teachers and former teachers were honoured by students during the ceremony. In a statement, SFI state president M Shivaprasad urged authorities concerned to investigate the matter and take stringent action. It was part of an agenda to impose "chaturvarnya" (ancient caste system) in the society and the "uncivilised" act could not be accepted at any cost, he said. MSID:: 122404378 413 |
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
'Will seek explanation in feet-washing incident', says Education Minister V Sivankutty
THIRUVANTHAPURAM: Amid controversy stirring up against students washing the feet of teachers as part of Guru Poornima in Kasargode and Mavelikkara, Education Minister V Sivankutty has stated that an explanation will be sought from the schools regarding this. The minister has instructed the general education director about the same. 'It is condemnable to see such practices in some schools run by Bharatiya Vidya Niketan. This is against democratic values,' he said, citing the incidents that happened at Saraswathi Vidyalaya in Bandadka, Kasargode and Vidyadhiraja Vidyapeetom Central School in Mavelikkara. Meanwhile, SFI also criticised the activity, urging to stop such forceful uncivilised practices in RSS-controlled schools. These regressive practices pull down the state's education system, which upholds progressive, secular and democratic values, the state leadership stated in a release. Students were allegedly made to kneel and wash the feet of nearly 30 retired teachers at the school in Kasargode offering flowers at their feet, as part of Guru Purnima celebrations on Thursday.
