BJD Protest Over Student’s Death Turns Violent; Tear Gas, Water Cannons Used
Clash erupts near Odisha Secretariat as BJD workers breach barricades; ex-ministers among injured during demand for judicial probe into student suicide
Bhubaneswar: Tensions soared in Odisha’s capital on Wednesday as a massive protest by the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) spiraled into chaos, prompting police to deploy water cannons and tear gas to control the crowd. The protest was triggered by the death of a student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, who allegedly died by suicide after being denied justice in a sexual harassment case.
Led by senior BJD leaders including Sanjay Das Burma, Arun Sahoo, Pranab Prakash Das, Priti Ranjan Gharaï, Devi Ranjan Tripathy, and Byomakesh Ray, the protesters attempted to march toward the Odisha Legislative Assembly and Lok Seva Bhawan, defying heavy police barricades and security arrangements.
As tensions escalated near PMG Square, police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd. Former ministers Priti Ranjan Gharaï and Pranab Prakash Das were injured in the melee and were later hospitalized. Over 100 party workers were detained for breaching security protocols, according to police sources.
Chanting slogans and waving placards, BJD leaders accused the BJP-led government of “systemic failure” in addressing the student’s harassment complaint. They demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, along with the state and Union education ministers.
In anticipation of unrest, the state home department had instructed all employees at Lok Seva Bhawan to report by 9:30 am, after which the premises were sealed. Security was heightened at key government buildings including Kharavela Bhawan, Rajiv Bhawan, and Krushi Bhawan. Simultaneously, normal life in Balasore was disrupted as the BJD observed a bandh from 6 am to 2 pm.
The 20-year-old student succumbed to her injuries late Monday night, four days after she reportedly attempted self-immolation. Her death has triggered a political firestorm, with the Congress and other opposition parties calling for a statewide bandh on July 17 to demand justice and accountability.
