A wave of grief and anger swept through Odisha as thousands took to the streets to observe a dawn-to-dusk bandh. This was in response to a tragic death of a 22-year-old student from Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore. The young woman, who was pursuing an Integrated B.Ed course, died by self-immolation after alleging months of sexual harassment by a senior faculty member and institutional inaction.
ALSO READ: BJD Workers Detained As They Protest Over Student’s Death By Self Immolation In Balasore: WATCH
Protest Grips Key Areas, Visuals Emerge
From the early hours of Wednesday, major roads were blocked and public transport services suspended across multiple regions. In Jaydev Vihar Chowk, Bhubaneswar, visuals showed a sea of protestors, flags and banners in hand, shouting slogans amid a tight police presence. BThe traffic movement was severely disrupted as demonstrators called for accountability from the state government.
#WATCH | Odisha | Opposition party workers create road blocks to protest against the state government as they observe Odisha Bandh over the death of a student of Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College by self-immolation.
Visuals from Jaydev Vihar Chowk pic.twitter.com/k85wpKXyYH
— ANI (@ANI) July 17, 2025
The protests erupted after the tragic death of a second-year B.Ed student from Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore, who succumbed to severe burn injuries at AIIMS Bhubaneswar after setting herself ablaze in protest against alleged inaction over her sexual harassment complaint. The accused professor, named by the victim, has become the centre of public and political scrutiny.
Odisha Bandh: Know What’s Affected
The bandh also took place yesterday, on Wednesday, demanding swift action against those responsible and stronger safeguards for women in educational institutions.
Shops, markets, schools, and colleges across key districts, including Bhubaneswar, Balasore, and Cuttack, remained closed. Businesses voluntarily pulled down shutters in a show of solidarity.
While train services remained operational, state-run and private buses were off the roads, and attendance in government offices dropped sharply, though no formal closure was announced.
Despite widespread disruption, emergency services, hospitals, and essential outlets like pharmacies, milk booths, and petrol pumps continued functioning normally. Banks remained open but many operated with limited staff or closed early.
