Bhubaneswar: LoP Naveen Patnaik took to X and condemned the incident at Fakir Mohan College in Balasore. He called it shocking and distressing. He wrote, “A young student resorting to self-immolation in one of #Odisha’s premier Universities is both shocking and deeply distressing. I fervently pray to Lord Jagannatha for her swift recovery from the grievous burn injuries. She was allegedly subjected to relentless sexual harassment by a teacher who repeatedly demanded sexual favours. In a letter to the principal, she revealed that she had earlier attempted suicide but was saved. For months, she lived in fear and anguish. On July 1, in a desperate plea for help, she posted her grievance on social media, tagging several top officials. But with no action forthcoming, she tragically resorted to setting herself on fire, right outside the principal’s chamber, in a final attempt to end her suffering.” He further added, “This tragic incident lays bare the stark reality of how she was denied justice, despite repeatedly voicing her grievances from the College Principal to the Higher Education Minister and right upto Union Minister and the Chief Minister. In our higher education framework, the Governor serves as the Chancellor of key government-run universities, including FM University. I urge the Hon’ble Governor to intervene and ensure that the student receives the justice she so desperately sought. Once again, I pray to Lord Jagannatha for the speedy recovery of the Fakir Mohan University student.”
LoP Naveen Patnaik expresses grief over FM college incident
