‘She Spoke Up and Paid the Price’: Father of Balasore Victim Slams Public Apathy

‘She Spoke Up and Paid the Price’: Balasore Victim’s Father Blames Institutional Silence.

The father of the college student from Odisha’s Balasore, who succumbed to burn injuries after allegedly setting herself on fire over inaction on her sexual harassment complaint, has blamed a culture of silence and systemic neglect for his daughter’s death.

Speaking with deep anguish, he alleged that several people—including members of the college’s internal complaints committee—were aware of the harassment his daughter faced, but chose to ignore her repeated pleas for help.

“My daughter spoke and paid the price for it. The ignorance of many forced her to take such a step,” the father said on Wednesday.
“Those who knew and still did nothing — including the internal committee — should be punished.”

Complaint Ignored, System Failed
The student had accused the head of department (HoD) at Fakir Mohan Autonomous College of sexual harassment. However, instead of receiving support, her complaint allegedly met with inaction and indifference.

According to her father, she had approached the college principal with the complaint, but the matter was not escalated appropriately. The internal complaints committee, which is tasked with handling such issues under the law, reportedly failed to act.

On July 12, the student attempted suicide by self-immolation on the college campus. A video of the incident later surfaced online, sparking outrage.

She was first admitted to the Balasore District Headquarters Hospital and then referred to AIIMS Bhubaneswar, where she died early Tuesday morning.

Arrests and Action
Following her death, the college principal Dillip Ghose was suspended and arrested. Odisha’s Higher Education Department noted in its suspension order that Ghose had failed to act on the student’s complaint and protect her safety. He has also been accused of shielding the HoD, who was subsequently arrested as well.

Political Reactions and Timeline Gaps
BJP MP Pratap Sarangi, who represents Balasore, said he had been in touch with both the student and the college authorities before the incident.

Speaking to CNN-News18, Sarangi said:

“I asked her to file an FIR, but she told me she was waiting for the internal committee report.”

He also claimed that he had spoken to the principal and directed him to allow the student to attend classes. Sarangi said he was informed about the complaint on July 2 and had urged college officials to take action.

The MP also noted that the student had previously hinted at distress and suicidal thoughts but assured him during their last conversation that she wouldn’t harm herself again.

Demands for Justice
The grieving father continues to demand the arrest of all internal committee members and college officials who, in his view, failed his daughter when she needed them most.

“No one stood by her. She was brave enough to speak up—but in return, she got silence. That silence killed her,” he said.