Bhubaneswar: A 20 year old girl, studying in F.M. College, Balasore has died after setting herself on fire in the college premises on 12 July . Her final days of life were spent in pain, desire and fire. She was silenced when cried for help. She walked into the principal’s chamber on 30 June to report on sexual harassment by a senior professor, Samir Ranjan Sahoo in the college.
No girl should ever face this consequence as instead of support from the authorities she was allegedly met with this fatal fate. The college authorities provided her with no action, no protection rather more threats. Her has stated she was tortured mentally, threatened to be expelled if she did not remain silent.
On 1 July, she posted her ordeal on social media and then on 2 July he gave a final warning that if appropriate action is not taken in this regard she would commit suicide for which Samir Ranjan Sahoo and the college authorities would be held responsible.
On 12 July, during a protest in college campus, she stepped away from the crowd, poured petrol on herself and lit the matchstick. Her scream echoed the college walls. Her fellow students rushed to save her but alas, it was too late. Her body was burn 95% when she was shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
A team of doctors put all their effort at AIIMS to save her. They conducted dialysis, fought infections, consulted AIIMS Delhi but her kidneys were failed, lungs had collapsed and the body stopped to respond.
The HOD, Samir Ranjan Sahoo, was arrested after the incident. The principal was suspended and arrested as well. A high level committee was formed. The president of India, Ms Draupadi Murmu had come to see the girl while she was in hospital. She was unconscious and fighting for life in the ICU until 14 July, 11.30 she breathed her last. Her battle for justice and respect was ended with her life.
According to her mother’s testimony her daughter did not burn herself but forced to be burned by the system. The entire state grieves and demands justice for a girl who cried for help and pushed to be silent.
-OdishaAge
