Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spoke with the father of a brave young student from Balasore, Odisha, who lost her life after setting herself on fire in protest against alleged sexual harassment by a college professor. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation in Odisha.
“We will ensure that the victim’s family gets complete justice,” Gandhi said in a post on his handle X on Wednesday. He assured the father of the deceased student that the Congress party and he himself would stand by them at every step.
He described the incident as “inhuman and shameful” and a wound to the entire society.
The 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore attempted self-immolation on July 12 after alleging sexual harassment by a professor. After suffering 95 per cent burns, she succumbed to her injuries on Monday. The incident has led to protests by the Congress and Biju Janata Dal in Odisha, with demands for justice for the victim’s family.
Gandhi blamed the “BJP’s system” for the student’s death, alleging that the system shielded the accused and failed to deliver justice.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced financial assistance of Rs 20 lakh for the student’s family and assured a thorough investigation.