How Has Normal Life Been Disrupted in Odisha Due to Protests Over a Student’s Death?

Bhubaneswar, July 17 (NationPress) The statewide shutdown called by eight political entities, spearheaded by Congress, following the unfortunate demise of a female student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, has severely impacted daily activities across Odisha on Thursday.

Numerous vehicles were stuck on both national and state highways due to the shutdown, particularly in major urban centers of the state.

Commercial establishments, fuel stations, and educational institutions were shuttered in cities like Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, and Balasore as part of the dawn-to-dusk 'Odisha Bandh'.

Prominent leaders from the party, including Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) leader Bhakta Charan Das and AICC in-charge Ajay Lallu, actively participated in demonstrations in Bhubaneswar and other significant cities.

The Congress party asserted that they received substantial public backing for the shutdown organized by eight political groups statewide, advocating for justice for the female student who tragically passed away on Monday after a self-immolation attempt on July 12, allegedly due to harassment by a faculty member.

In statements to the press, OPCC president Das remarked, "Today, the Congress and other parties, including left-wing groups, the Samajwadi Party, and the Rashtriya Janata Dal, are participating in the Odisha Bandh demanding justice for women in our state."

Das noted that women have consistently faced various forms of violence in Odisha over the past five months. He further stated that more than 20,000 women and children have gone missing and there have been over 77 reported gang-rape cases in the last year under BJP governance.

He also referenced a recent incident of gang rape involving a woman student by ten individuals at Gopalpur beach in Ganjam district, indicating a troubling rise in such crimes.

Das claimed that the FM College student from Balasore district, who was affiliated with ABVP, sought justice but faced numerous obstacles. He accused multiple authorities, including the Balasore District Collector and local police officials, of failing to assist her, which ultimately led to her tragic decision.

"This is not merely a suicide; it is a well-orchestrated murder. Our leader, Rahul Gandhiji, has rightly acknowledged the situation and engaged with the victim's family. We have also visited their home to extend our condolences. The Congress Party stands firmly with the grieving family. We are addressing this issue following the directives of Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge. Women are facing violence in BJP-ruled states everywhere. The Congress party has called for a bandh to protest the ongoing violence against women in Odisha. The Bandh has been overwhelmingly successful, with thousands across all districts participating and showing support. All segments of society, including associations, students, youth, farmers, women, and the general populace of Odisha, are backing the Bandh. If the government fails to deliver justice to the victim, we will escalate our protests further," Das concluded.