'Cheap Politics': BJP Blasts Rahul Gandhi As He Calls Balasore Student's Death 'Organised Murder'

Last Updated:July 15, 2025, 12:43 IST

Dharmendra Pradhan has lashed out at Rahul Gandhi over his statement calling the Balasore student’s death an “organised murder” accusing Congress of politicising the tragedy.

Protests over the Balasore horror (L)/Rahul Gandhi (R) (Photos: PTI)

Amid the deepening politics over the death of the Balasore student in the wee hours of Tuesday, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today hit back at Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress party has always sought opportunities in a tragedy, and termed it “cheap politics".

Blasting the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha over his ‘organised murder by the system’ remark, Pradhan, in a lengthy X post, also demanded an apology from him, terming his comment “irresponsible".

The Balasore college student died by setting herself on fire over alleged inaction on her sexual harassment complaint.

In his post, the Union Minister also stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have always worked towards women’s safety and justice.

He also mentioned that the government of Odisha stands with the victim’s family with full sensitivity, and assured of the strictest action in the case.

“The cheap politics played by Rahul Gandhi and Congress on the tragic incident involving Odisha’s daughter is extremely unfortunate. Turning a serious and sensitive matter into a political weapon reflects Rahul Gandhi’s petty mindset," Dharmendra Pradhan wrote in his X post.

“The incident in Odisha has shaken the entire nation, but Congress has seized this opportunity to bake its political bread," he added.

“Prime Minister Modi ji and the BJP have always taken concrete steps for women’s safety and justice, while Congress has consistently sought opportunities in every tragedy," he mentioned.

“On this incident, the Odisha government stands with the victim’s family with full sensitivity, and the strictest action will be taken against the culprits; no one will be spared," he added.

RAHUL GANDHI’s REMARK ON BALASORE HORROR

Attacking the ruling BJP in Odisha over the death of the Balasore college student, Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday alleged it was nothing less than an “organised murder by the system".

Gandhi alleged that those who were supposed to protect her kept “breaking her".

“The death of a daughter fighting for justice in Odisha is nothing less than a murder by the BJP’s system. That brave student raised her voice against sexual harassment – but instead of delivering justice, she was threatened, tormented, and repeatedly humiliated," he alleged in a post on X.

“Those who were supposed to protect her kept breaking her. As always, the BJP’s system continued to shield the accused and forced an innocent daughter to set herself on fire," he alleged.

Gandhi claimed the woman’s death was not suicide, it was an organised murder by the system.

“Modi ji, whether in Odisha or Manipur – the daughters of the nation are burning, breaking, and dying. And you? You remain silent," he said.

“The country doesn’t need your silence; it needs answers. India’s daughters need safety and justice," he added.

The second-year B.Ed student of Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore died after fighting for her life for three days.

She set herself on fire on the campus on July 12 over alleged inaction against a professor who allegedly sexually harassed her.

She had suffered 95 per cent burns and died at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar.

ALSO READ | Immolation By Student: Suspended Principal Of Odisha College Arrested For Abetting Suicide Bid

Vani Mehrotra

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

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