Naveen Patnaik Slams Police Crackdown on BJD Protesters, Calls It ‘Inhuman’

Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) President and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday strongly condemned the police action against party workers protesting in Bhubaneswar, calling the crackdown “inhuman and unprovoked.”

The BJD had staged a peaceful demonstration at Lower PMG in the capital, demanding justice for Soumyashree Bisi, a 20-year-old student of Fakir Mohan (FM) Autonomous College in Balasore, who died after attempting self-immolation following alleged sexual harassment.

Patnaik alleged that police resorted to unjustified violence, leading to injuries among BJD workers and members of the public. He later spoke over the phone with injured party members — including MP Sulata Deo, former Minister Pranab Prakash Das, and MLA Pritiranjan Ghadei — to check on their condition and wished them a speedy recovery.

Government Defends Police, Criticises Political Response

Meanwhile, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan urged opposition parties to avoid politicising the tragic incident, accusing them of attempting to gain mileage from Soumyashree’s death.

“When Soumyashree was alive, they mocked her. Now they demand justice to appear sympathetic — this is opportunism,” Harichandan said, without naming specific leaders.

He also accused the Opposition of misleading the public, asserting that the investigation would uncover all individuals associated with the case — directly or indirectly.

The Minister informed that the state government is monitoring the situation in all educational institutions and that campus welfare committees will be reconstituted to enhance student safety. He added that two staff members of FM College — including the Head of Department (HoD) and the principal — have been suspended and arrested.

Background: Soumyashree’s Death Sparks Statewide Outrage

The incident that triggered the protests unfolded when Soumyashree Bisi, a B.Ed student, staged a sit-in protest outside her college, accusing HoD Samira Kumar Sahu of harassment. Despite submitting a formal complaint, she allegedly received no support from the administration.

In a tragic escalation on July 12, she attempted self-immolation outside the principal’s office, sustaining over 90% burn injuries. She was initially admitted to Balasore Medical College and later transferred to AIIMS Bhubaneswar, where she succumbed to her injuries late on July 14.

The incident has led to widespread public anger and political backlash, prompting multiple protests and a call for accountability at the highest levels of state governance. Investigations are ongoing.