New Delhi [India], July 14 (ANI): Congress Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh on Monday slammed the BJP government over the Balasore self-immolation case, questioning how women can hope for justice when a female office-bearer of the ruling party's student organization herself faced such a fate.

A 20-year-old student set herself on fire after allegedly facing prolonged sexual harassment by her college's Head of Department. Despite lodging a formal complaint and seeking help from the principal, her pleas were ignored, leading to the tragic incident. The incident occurred at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College.

Jairam Ramesh criticised the BJP government in Odisha, highlighting the state's poor record on women's safety and questioned the government's commitment to protecting women, citing the rise in sexual violence and crimes against women during the BJP's rule.

In a post on X, the Congress leader said, 'How can women even hope for justice from the BJP government when several of its own leaders are embroiled in serious allegations of sexual harassment and anti-woman behavior?'

'Under BJP's rule, daughters are not safe anywhere--neither on campuses, nor on the streets, nor anywhere else,' he added.

https://x.com/Jairam_Ramesh/status/1944714341879590916

The incident has sparked outrage, with many demanding action against the accused and accountability from the college administration. The victim had reportedly complained to the principal about the harassment, but no action was taken, leading to the tragic incident.

'A deeply disturbing incident has come to light from Odisha. In a college in Balasore, a female student, fed up with prolonged sexual harassment by the head of the department, set herself on fire on the campus itself. She has been severely injured and is currently battling for her life at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, Ramesh wrote on X.

The victim had lodged a formal complaint and sought help from the principal 20 days prior to the incident, but her pleas were ignored.

Highlighting the alleged inaction despite the student's complaint, Ramesh pointed to her political affiliation. 'The victim is also an office-bearer of the student organization of the ruling party. She had sought help from the principal 20 days ago and had formally lodged a complaint, but she was completely ignored. Imagine, if a female office-bearer of the ruling party herself is so helpless in Odisha, where a double-engine government is in power, what must be the state of safety for ordinary women?,' he wrote.

Ramesh further accused the BJP government of prioritising image over action on women's safety. 'Amidst hollow slogans like 'Beti Padhao, Beti Bachao,' the BJP government is only focused on saving its false image, while its record on women's safety over the past 11 years has been utterly shameful. There has been a continuous rise in sexual violence and other crimes against women,' the post added on X.

Earlier in the day, Dr Giri told ANI, 'The patient is critical and is on life support and mechanical ventilator. We have checked her parameters, and we will continue the same treatment.'

Medical Superintendent of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, Dr Dillip Kumar Parida, said that AIIMS, Delhi, has advised to share the culture sensitivity report and continue the current treatment.

'The patient is still critical. Today, the patient has a temperature of approximately 102 degrees. The team has consulted AIIMS Delhi, they have advised sending a culture sensitivity report and continuing the current treatment. The patient is critical and stable,' Dr Parida told ANI.

The victim's father said that she is suffering from 95 per cent burns.

The student allegedly self-immolated in protest against sexual harassment by a professor at her college, sparking widespread outrage. Following this, the student was rushed to AIIMS Bhubaneswar.

'She has 95% burns. Doctors have said they are trying their best and are also in touch with AIIMS Delhi. CM sir also came here yesterday (Sunday). She had complained, but the principal did not pay heed to it,' said the father, speaking to ANI.

The father demanded punishment for the perpetrator and adviced that all colleges in the state should have a counselling facility.

He said, '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. There should be counselling in all the colleges of Odisha, and strict steps should be taken so that such an incident does not happen again.'

Meanwhile, Balasore Police have arrested the accused professor, Samir Sahu, on Saturday after registering a case (229/2025) under various sections of the Bharatiya Nayaya Sanhita, including 108 (abetment to suicide) and 75(1)(iii) (sexual harassment).

The Odisha government have formed a committee to conduct a thorough inquiry into the alleged harassment case. (ANI)