President Murmu visits AIIMS, enquires about Odisha student battling for life

President Droupadi Murmu on Monday (July 14, 2025) visited the burn unit at the AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, where a college student is battling for life after her self-immolation bid, and enquired about her condition.

The student, a 20-year-old pursuing B.Ed. at the F.M. Autonomous College in Balasore, set herself afire outside the Principal’s office on July 12, accusing college authorities of repeatedly ignoring her complaint of sexual harassment by a teacher. The woman is now on life support.

Ms. Murmu who was at the AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, for its fifth convocation ceremony, expressed her wish to visit the burn unit, a deviation from her scheduled programme. “The President held discussions with the doctors about the girl’s condition and enquired about the additional steps needed for her treatment,” said Asutosh Biswas, executive director of the AIIMS, Bhubaneswar. The President was accompanied by Chief Minister Mohan Majhi and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Ms. Murmu also met the girl’s mother and relatives. She consoled them and urged them to remain patient

The condition of the girl remains critical. Hospital sources said there was neither improvement nor deterioration in her condition, and she continued to be on life support.

Teacher, Principal arrested

The accused college teacher, Samir Sahu, has been arrested. The Odisha government on Monday also arrested Principal Dillip Ghosh, based on the interim report of a high-level probe team constituted by the State Higher Education Department. Besides, all colleges across the State were directed to form an internal committee within 24 hours as per the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013.

The series of actions followed Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati’s direction to authorities to protect the dignity and mental well-being of students and prevent recurrence of such incidents.

The National Human Rights Commission has also sought a report from Odisha government over the incident.