Odisha Student Death Sparks State-Wide Anger; CM Announces ₹20 Lakh Ex Gratia to Family

In a sudden twist of events that left Odisha in shock, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday ordered ₹20 lakh compensation to the family of the 20-year-old B.Ed student of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore who had self-immolated. The student died at AIIMS Bhubaneswar on Monday evening, after fighting for three days to sustain her life with 95% burn injuries.

The episode has sparked a national outrage, and most have been demanding that the system be altered so that campuses are safe. The young woman is reported to have taken the drastic step after college administration ignored repeated complaints of sexual harassment against one of their assistant professors.

In her public speech, CM Majhi described the incident as "deeply painful and unacceptable." Chief Minister asked for a proper investigation so that all the culprits receive full punishment as per law. "No one will be spared," the Chief Minister's Office statement read.

Odisha State Governor Prof. Ganeshi Lal too had spoken out in disbelief. "Shocked to hear the unfortunate demise of a young student of Fakir Mohan College. Not only a tragedy—it is a wake-up call for the unprecedented necessity to make our campuses secure," he tweeted on X. "Their perpetrators will be given uncompromising justice."

While the nation mourns the loss of such a brilliant young life, arrest of the college principal and the secretary of the Education Department are some sort of accountability first. And yet, students and activists are demanding more—and demanding means in general to tackle sexual harassment in the education system.

The murder of the young woman has caused controversy throughout the state, with students organizing candlelight vigils and calling for justice—not only for her, but for all the silenced voices.