Odia Film Fraternity Mourns FM College Student’s Death in Self-Immolation Tragedy
Odia Film Fraternity Mourns FM College Student’s Death in Self-Immolation Tragedy
Bhubaneswar: The tragic death of a 20-year-old B.Ed. student from Fakir Mohan (FM) Autonomous College, Balasore, who succumbed to burn injuries after self-immolating on campus, has sent shockwaves across Odisha. Prominent Odia film actors have expressed deep sorrow and outrage over the incident, calling for justice and systemic change.
On July 12, the student set herself on fire outside the principal’s office after allegedly facing repeated sexual harassment by a professor. Despite filing a formal complaint, no decisive action was taken by the college authorities. She suffered 95% burns and was shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar, where she tragically passed away on July 14.
Heartfelt Tributes and Outrage from Film Industry
Odia actor Sabyasachi Mishra shared a moving message, highlighting the lack of empathy and support in educational institutions.
“Sorry sister! Wish your friends, college, family or someone could have made you feel safer & mentally stronger. We lost you because we made you lonely. At every college we need unity, care for each other & a supportive environment full of empathy & respect.”
Actress Bhoomika Dash offered a powerful and emotional tribute, echoing the grief and frustration of many.
“She was just 20. A B.Ed. student at FM College. She filed a complaint against her professor for repeated sexual harassment. But no one acted. No one listened.
On July 12, broken and unheard, she set herself on fire outside the principal’s office…
She didn’t die in silence… she died screaming through fire. This isn’t just her loss. It’s ours too. A failure that can’t be undone.
Justice must not stop with arrests. It must roar until every girl feels safe. Until no voice is ignored again.”
Actress Suryamayee Mohapatra also took to social media to condemn the systemic failures and demanded institutional accountability. She emphasized the need for student-friendly environments where safety and mental health are prioritized, and where survivors of harassment are not forced into silence or despair.
Public Outcry and Official Action
The incident has triggered statewide protests and widespread outrage on social media. Students, activists, and citizens have demanded the immediate arrest of the accused and a thorough probe into the role of the college’s Internal Complaints Committee (ICC).
Authorities have since arrested the accused professor and the college principal. A special inquiry panel led by Odisha’s Higher Education Department is investigating lapses in the college’s handling of the sexual harassment complaint.
A Call for Change
The victim’s death has become a symbol of the larger systemic failures in handling cases of sexual harassment on campuses. Artists, students, and activists alike are calling for mandatory gender-sensitization training, stronger ICC mechanisms, mental health support in colleges, and transparent redressal systems.
The tragedy has also spotlighted the need for societal change—where survivors are heard, believed, and protected—and where justice is proactive, not reactive.
This isn’t just a tragedy; it’s a wake-up call. A young life lost not just to fire, but to silence, inaction, and neglect. Odisha mourns—but more than that, it must act.