Crowds Rise, Streets Fall Silent: Odisha Shuts Down in Protest

A twelve-hour statewide bandh brought much of Odisha to a halt after the death of a twenty-year-old college student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, who died by self-immolation following alleged sexual harassment by a professor. The bandh was called by opposition parties, including the Congress, CPI(M) and others, demanding accountability and a judicial probe. Protests erupted across Bhubaneswar, Balasore and Sambalpur, disrupting traffic, halting train services, and shutting down shops, petrol pumps, and public transport. Congress workers and supporters blocked roads and railway tracks at several locations. Security forces were deployed in key areas and minor clashes were reported between protesters and police. The incident has sparked political outrage and renewed calls for institutional accountability.

Photo Webdesk

Updated on: 17 July 2025 5:48 pm

Odisha Bandh over student’s suicide; Congress workers block a road in Bhubaneswar

Odisha Bandh: Congress workers block a road in Bhubaneswar | Photo: PTI

Congress workers block a road during a bandh called by several opposition parties in protest over the death of a college student in Odisha, who set herself on fire following alleged sexual harassment by a professor, in Bhubaneswar.

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Odisha Bandh over student’s suicide; Congress workers block a railway track

Odisha Bandh: Congress workers block a railway track | Photo: PTI

Congress workers block a railway track during a bandh called by several opposition parties in protest over the death of a college student in Odisha's Balasore, who set herself on fire following alleged sexual harassment by a professor, at Sambalpur railway station.

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Odisha Bandh over student’s suicide; Congress workers block a road in Balasore

Odisha Bandh: Congress workers block a road in Balasore | Photo: PTI

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Odisha Bandh over student’s suicide; A closed filling station in Bhubaneswar

Odisha Bandh: A closed filling station in Bhubaneswar | Photo: PTI

A closed filling station during a bandh called by several opposition parties in protest over the death of a college student in Odisha, who set herself on fire following alleged sexual harassment by a professor, in Bhubaneswar.

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Odisha Bandh over student’s suicide; View of Bhubaneswar bus terminal

Odisha Bandh: View of Bhubaneswar bus terminal | Photo: PTI

Buses parked at a terminal amid a 12-hour 'bandh' in Odisha, called by the opposition Congress and other political parties over the death of a college student who set herself ablaze after being denied justice in an alleged sexual harassment incident, in Bhubaneswar.

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Odisha Bandh over student’s suicide; Congress workers stage a protest at a railway station

Odisha Bandh: Congress workers stage a protest at a railway station | Photo: PTI

Congress workers stage a protest at a railway station during a bandh called by several opposition parties in protest over the death of a college student in Odisha, who set herself on fire following alleged sexual harassment by a professor, in Balasore district.

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Odisha Bandh over student’s suicide; Congress workers take part in a bike rally

Odisha Bandh: Congress workers take part in a bike rally | Photo: PTI

Congress workers take part in a bike rally during a bandh called by several opposition parties in protest over the death of a college student in Odisha, who set herself on fire following alleged sexual harassment by a professor, in Bhubaneswar.

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Odisha Bandh over student’s suicide; Security outside Sambalpur railway station

Odisha Bandh: Security outside Sambalpur railway station | Photo: PTI

Security personnel deployed at Sambalpur railway station, during a bandh called by several opposition parties in protest over the death of a college student in Odisha's Balasore, who set herself on fire following alleged sexual harassment by a professor, in Sambalpur.

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