Sun Jul 13 09:07:11 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
A female undergraduate student in Odisha, India, attempted self-immolation on the campus of FM University in Balasore after allegedly facing unaddressed sexual harassment by a professor. The incident has sparked a major political controversy, with the former Chief Minister criticizing the lack of justice for the victim and the current Chief Minister promising action. The student is in critical condition with severe burns. Authorities have arrested the accused professor and suspended the principal. Political parties are protesting, and the National Commission for Women has taken cognizance of the case, demanding a swift investigation and support for the victim. This incident follows another recent suicide of a student in Odisha who also reported harassment.
**News Article:**
**Odisha Student’s Self-Immolation Sparks Outrage Over Sexual Harassment Allegations**
**Bhubaneswar, July 13, 2025** – A political firestorm has erupted in Odisha after an undergraduate student set herself ablaze on the campus of FM University in Balasore, alleging persistent sexual harassment by a professor. The victim, now fighting for her life with 90% burn injuries at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, took the drastic step after claiming her complaints went unheeded by university authorities.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who stated on social media platform ‘X’ that the student had been “denied justice at every level,” highlighting that the student had even attempted suicide before and that she reported her grievances to college principal, the Higher Education Minister and even Union Ministers. Patnaik also urged Governor to intervene.
Current Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who visited the student at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, has promised a thorough inquiry and vowed to prevent similar incidents in the future. “We will take all possible steps to prevent recurrence [of] such kind of incidents. We will surely take action basing on the inquiry report,” Majhi stated.
Authorities have arrested assistant professor Samir Kumar Sahu, who headed the education department. He is accused of seeking sexual favors from the student and threatening to sabotage her career if she did not comply. Principal Dilip Ghosh has also been suspended.
The incident has triggered protests by opposition parties, including the Congress and BJD, whose leaders attempted to march to the residences of the CM and Higher Education Minister, leading to clashes with police.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken *suo motu* cognizance of the case, condemning the incident and demanding a swift and fair investigation. Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has directed the Odisha Director General of Police to ensure strict action against the accused and provide all necessary medical and psychological support to the victim. The NCW has requested an Action Taken Report within three days.
The incident has brought renewed attention to the issue of student safety and the handling of harassment complaints within educational institutions in Odisha. Just this year, a Nepalese student ended her life in her hostel room on campus of a private university when her repeated complaints against male classmate were overlooked.
First Piper 