In a disturbing development from Balasore, Odisha, two leaders of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) have been arrested for allegedly provoking a 20-year-old student of Fakir Mohan College to commit self-immolation. The tragic incident has sparked outrage and drawn attention to growing concerns around campus safety, political interference, and student welfare.

The student had earlier filed a sexual harassment complaint against the Head of Department (HoD) in her college. Following the complaint, the student allegedly set herself on fire, sustaining more than 95 percent burns. Despite emergency treatment, she succumbed to her injuries.

Who Has Been Arrested in the Case?

According to a senior police official, two individuals linked to ABVP have been taken into custody. Among them is Jyoti Prakash Biswal, a fellow student at the same college, who had reportedly suffered burns while trying to save the victim. Biswal had recently been discharged from SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.

The second accused is Subhra Sambait Nayak, the Joint Secretary of ABVP’s Odisha state unit. He was arrested from his residence late on Sunday night. Authorities believe both played a direct role in encouraging or supporting the student’s act of self-immolation.

The arrests follow preliminary investigations suggesting that certain students not only provoked the victim but may have also assisted in the act. These revelations have raised troubling questions about the atmosphere on campus and the involvement of politically aligned student groups in such incidents.

Earlier Arrests and the Role of College Staff

The case has been unfolding rapidly over the past few weeks. Prior to the arrests of the ABVP members, police had taken into custody Assistant Professor Samira Kumar Sahu and former principal Dilip Ghosh of Fakir Mohan College. The duo was accused of negligence and complicity in the events that led to the student’s death.

Reports indicate that the assistant professor was the person against whom the sexual harassment complaint had been filed. However, the college administration had allegedly failed to act decisively on the matter, leading to frustration and emotional trauma for the victim.

UGC and State-Level Investigations Underway

The gravity of the case has led to involvement from higher authorities. A University Grants Commission (UGC) team visited Fakir Mohan College and questioned both the principal and the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC). The ICC submitted a report stating that no evidence of sexual harassment was found during its inquiry. This finding, however, has been challenged by the victim’s family and several student groups.

Simultaneously, the Odisha Higher Education Department has formed an independent fact-finding team to conduct a parallel investigation. Their aim is to examine possible lapses in handling the complaint and assess the campus environment for other possible safety risks or policy failures.

Widespread Reaction and Political Overtones

The incident has sparked intense debate across Odisha and beyond. Student unions, women’s rights organizations, and civil society activists have condemned the administration and demanded strict action against those responsible. Several protest marches have been organized in Balasore and Bhubaneswar demanding transparency in the investigation.

Political dimensions have also emerged, with opposition parties accusing the government of shielding the culprits due to their links with ABVP, the student wing of the ruling BJP. Leaders from opposition parties have demanded a judicial probe and compensation for the victim’s family.

A Pattern of Negligence?

This incident is not the first in India where delayed or inadequate action on harassment complaints has resulted in student distress or tragic outcomes. Over the years, various universities and colleges have come under scrutiny for their failure to implement the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 effectively.

Many institutions still lack functioning Internal Complaints Committees, and those that exist often fail to inspire confidence among students. In several cases, victims are silenced, threatened, or discredited, leading to emotional breakdowns or withdrawal from academic life.

What Happens Next?

With the recent arrests, the focus now shifts to how the judicial system will handle the charges. The police are expected to file a detailed chargesheet soon. Meanwhile, the fact-finding report from the Higher Education Department will be crucial in determining whether institutional lapses occurred and what reforms need to be implemented at the college level.

Additionally, the UGC may recommend policy-level changes to ensure that student safety and grievance redressal mechanisms are more robust and accountable across Indian educational institutions.

Student Mental Health and Institutional Responsibility

The tragedy has once again highlighted the urgent need for improved mental health support in educational institutions. Experts argue that colleges should not only ensure justice in harassment cases but also provide psychological counseling to students dealing with trauma, anxiety, or emotional distress.

Several universities worldwide have incorporated mental health check-ins, support groups, and anti-harassment sensitization workshops as mandatory campus policies. Indian colleges, especially in smaller cities and towns, still lag behind on these fronts.

A Wake-Up Call for Policy Makers

This heartbreaking case from Balasore underscores a systemic issue that demands immediate attention. While individual accountability is essential, institutions must also examine how and why they continue to fail their students. From faster action on complaints to creating an environment of trust, much needs to change.

Educational institutions are meant to be safe spaces for growth and learning. When they become grounds for harassment, political bullying, or suppression of voices, their core purpose stands violated.

As investigations proceed and legal action is taken against the accused, this case serves as a stark reminder of the price students pay when institutions fail in their duty of care. The death of the young student at Fakir Mohan College should not go in vain. It must serve as a catalyst for deep reform, not just in Odisha, but across the country.