The father of a victim of the Balasore train accident and the mother of a student who self-immolated after alleged harassment are both pointing fingers at systemic failures and a culture of indifference, highlighting the heavy price individuals pay when their voices are ignored.

In June 2023, a horrific triple train collision in Balasore, Odisha, claimed the lives of over 290 people and injured more than 1,200. Investigations revealed that the accident was a result of "lapses at multiple levels" within the signaling and telecommunication department of the Indian Railways. These lapses included "wrong signaling" due to "human error" and negligence in adhering to safety protocols. The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) report indicated that the tragedy could have been averted if past red flags had been reported.

In the aftermath, three railway employees were arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder and destruction of evidence. However, the Orissa High Court granted them conditional bail, stating that there was no conclusive evidence to suggest they were solely responsible for the tragedy, and attributing the accident to "composite negligence" on the part of railway authorities. The court emphasized that the authorities had failed in the upkeep, maintenance, and proper functioning of the signal system.

Adding to the tragedy, families of the deceased faced the agonizing task of identifying their loved ones, often confronted with unrecognizable remains. The slow and difficult process prolonged their grief and highlighted the need for better disaster response systems.

More recently, another case in Balasore has sparked outrage. A college student, suffered critical injuries after attempting self-immolation, allegedly due to harassment and threats from college staff after she complained about a professor. The student's mother has publicly accused the college principal, head of department, and lecturers of mentally harassing and threatening her daughter, alleging that they pressured her to withdraw her complaint and threatened to fail her.

The father of the student stated that his daughter had filed a complaint with the college, but the principal allegedly ignored it. He claims the principal assured him that action would be taken after an internal committee report, but nothing was done. The father also recounted how his daughter's mental state was not assessed, even after she displayed suicidal tendencies.

These incidents highlight a disturbing pattern of negligence, indifference, and a lack of accountability. Whether it's a massive train accident caused by systemic failures or a student driven to self-harm due to harassment, the victims and their families are left to bear the consequences of a system that failed to protect them. The father's blame of "ignorance of many" underscores the need for a systemic change, where authorities take responsibility, address grievances promptly, and prioritize safety and well-being.