A 22-year-old student of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore is battling for her life at AIIMS Bhubaneswar after allegedly setting herself on fire following months of inaction on her repeated sexual harassment complaints against a senior faculty member.

The B.Ed student suffered over 95 percent burns and remains on life support. The horrifying incident, which occurred on July 12, has triggered outrage across Odisha and the nation. Another student who attempted to rescue her has sustained severe burn injuries and is also undergoing treatment.

The student had submitted a written complaint on July 1 to the college’s Internal Complaints Committee, accusing Professor Samir Kumar Sahu, Head of the Integrated B.Ed Department, of persistent sexual harassment and threats to sabotage her academic future. Despite the gravity of the allegations and wide circulation of her letter on social media — which tagged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and other officials — no effective action was taken.

Speaking to ANI, her father said, “She had complained (about the sexual harassment), but the principal did not pay heed to it. They had two to four complaints against the accused professor, and the college authorities asked me to wait for the internal committee report. My demand is that the culprit should be given the harshest punishment.”

He further alleged that the college administration pressured the family to drop the complaint. “They told me that if we didn’t withdraw, an FIR would be filed against me. They said I would be arrested,” he said.

According to police reports, the woman had requested the principal to summon the accused professor on the day of the incident. Principal Dillip Kumar Ghosh acknowledged the meeting: “The student met me in my office today and stated that she was facing extreme mental pressure. She asked me to call Sahu to the office, which I did.”

Video of the Incident Went Viral

The incident was caught on video, which shows the student running in flames through the college corridor while bystanders attempt to help. Her act of protest came almost two weeks after she had been promised institutional action within seven days.

Following the incident, the Balasore police arrested Professor Sahu on charges of sexual harassment and abetment to suicide, and Principal Ghosh was arrested two days later for negligence. Both have been suspended by the Odisha Higher Education Department.

“We are investigating the matter thoroughly. The teacher has been arrested. Several teams are collecting evidence. Whoever is found to be at fault will be held accountable,” said Balasore SP Raj Prasad.

Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj announced a high-level inquiry, to be led by a woman principal from another institution along with a senior director-level officer. “Strict action will be taken against those responsible,” he affirmed. Suraj also confirmed that he had spoken to AIIMS Bhubaneswar and the Chief Minister regarding the student’s medical treatment.

The hospital has consulted AIIMS Delhi specialists and continues current treatment protocols. A senior AIIMS official said the situation remains critical.

The incident has led to political upheaval, with Congress and BJD leaders demanding institutional reforms and accountability. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh slammed the BJP government: “Imagine, if a female office-bearer of the ruling party is so helpless, what must be the condition of ordinary women?” He further stated, “Daughters are not safe anywhere—neither on campuses, nor on the streets. Several BJP leaders themselves face serious allegations of harassment.”

Both the Congress and BJD have requested to meet President Droupadi Murmu, who begins a two-day visit to Odisha today, to raise concerns about the systemic failure in addressing sexual harassment complaints in educational institutions.

The student’s father has appealed for stronger safeguards: “There should be counselling facilities in all colleges of Odisha, and strict steps should be taken so that such an incident does not happen again.”