‘Probe must go beyond incident’: ABVP calls for action in Soumyashree case

Condemning the incident involving the self-immolation by Soumyashree Bisi, a college student, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) demanded an impartial and comprehensive investigation into this entire matter.

Hailing from Balasore, Odisha, Soumyashree took the extreme step on July 12 by pouring petrol over her body. The action came after allegedly no action was taken on her complaint in which she accused the Head of her Department, Samira Kumar Sahu, of seeking sexual favours., who received more than 95 percent burn injuries, was admitted to AIIMS-Bhubaneswar, where she succumbed to her injuries two days later on July 14.

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In a statement issued here, ABVP’s National General Secretary, Dr. Virendra Singh Solanki, said that the investigation must not remain limited to the incident alone, but should also examine the long-standing mental and institutional harassment that forced Soumyashree to take such an extreme step. “Strict and immediate action must be taken against those responsible for character assassination and mental torture, regardless of their designation or political affiliation, so that justice can be ensured for the victim and such incidents do not recur in the future,” he said.

It was also stated that the subsequent unjustified late-night detention of two fellow students by the police administration, despite clear evidence in their favour, is a deeply biased move.

Stating that the move reeks of a deliberate political conspiracy, ABVP strongly condemned this failed attempt by the police to protect their actual political patrons.

Solanki went on to add that the trauma that led Soumyashree to take this extreme step stemmed from repeated mental harassment. “This included character assassination on social media by the Head of Department who allegedly coerced her for sexual favours and by office-bearers of student organisations affiliated with the Congress and BJD,” he added.

Commenting on the incident, Deeptimayi Pratihari, ABVP’s Odisha Purva Prant Mantri, said that the ABVP is fully prepared to cooperate with the police in the investigation.

“However, if any attempt is made to harass ABVP workers or falsely implicate innocent individuals, Vidyarthi Parishad will not remain silent. ABVP strongly opposes all efforts by Odisha Police to mentally and physically intimidate its workers,” she alleged.

“Taking action against those who tried to save the victim is not only unjust but deeply unfortunate. If those who come forward to support victims are themselves branded as culprits, it will discourage people from standing up for justice in the future,” the statement read further.