Bhubaneswar: Mahila Congress chief Alka Lamba on Wednesday demanded the resignation of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and the imposition of President’s Rule in the state, following the tragic death of a college student in Balasore who had accused a professor of sexual harassment.
The 20-year-old second-year B.Ed student of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, Soumyashree Bisi, succumbed to burn injuries on Monday night at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, two days after she set herself on fire on the college campus in protest against the alleged inaction of authorities.
Lamba, who visited Odisha to meet the victim’s family, alleged that the student’s death was the result of a “systemic failure” in the state. “Since the Chief Minister is the head of this failed system, he must resign. President’s Rule should be imposed in Odisha,” she said.
Drawing parallels to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s past remarks, Lamba recalled, “The Prime Minister himself had demanded President’s Rule in Rajasthan citing the lack of safety for women and girls. The situation in Odisha today is no different.”
Lamba also pointed to the BJP’s handling of other national crises, referencing the opposition’s earlier demand for President’s Rule in Manipur. “We will raise this issue during the upcoming Lok Sabha session,” she said, stressing that the Majhi government has failed within its first year.
Taking aim at the BJP’s public relations, she remarked, “The Chief Minister’s posters with the Prime Minister are plastered across the state, but the reality is starkly different. Odisha is heading toward collapse, and women are no longer safe.”
She also criticized the Prime Minister for remaining silent. “The least he could have done is post a condolence message in Odia for the young girl, who, ironically, was affiliated with the ABVP, the student wing of the RSS,” Lamba said.
The Congress, she affirmed, will continue to fight for the rights and safety of women in Odisha.
