The tragic death of a college student in Odisha, who died after attempting self-immolation, has ignited a political firestorm between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The student, who had accused a professor of sexual harassment, allegedly took the extreme step after claiming inaction on her complaints.
Rahul Gandhi, a prominent Congress leader, directly implicated the BJP in the incident, stating that the student's death was "nothing less than a murder by the BJP's system". Gandhi alleged that the BJP shielded the accused, forcing the "innocent daughter to set herself on fire". He criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on the matter, questioning why he remained unresponsive while "daughters of the nation are burning, breaking, and dying" in Odisha and Manipur. He demanded answers and justice for the women of India.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan swiftly retorted, accusing Gandhi of engaging in "cheap politics" and displaying a "petty mindset" by politicizing the tragedy. Pradhan argued that Gandhi and the Congress were exploiting the incident to gain political mileage. He defended the BJP, asserting that Prime Minister Modi and the party have consistently prioritized women's safety and justice. Pradhan affirmed the Odisha government's commitment to supporting the victim's family and ensuring strict action against the culprits, while urging Gandhi to apologize for his "irresponsible statement".
Pradhan stated that it was not the time for politics but for ensuring justice for the victim's family. He also highlighted the Odisha government's sensitivity to the case and their commitment to ensuring that no one would be spared.
The back-and-forth between Gandhi and Pradhan underscores the deeply polarized political climate in India, where even tragic events become fodder for political accusations and counter-accusations. While Gandhi framed the incident as a systemic failure under BJP rule, Pradhan accused the Congress of opportunism and disregarding the sensitivity of the situation.
Other political figures have also weighed in on the matter. Naveen Patnaik, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly and former Chief Minister, described the incident as "nothing less than institutional betrayal". The Congress party and several other parties have called for an Odisha bandh to protest the incident.
