Student's Attempted Suicide Highlights Failure to Address Sexual Harassment in Indian Colleges

Strategic Insights -

A female undergraduate student in India's Odisha state attempted to take her own life due to alleged inaction over her complaint of sexual harassment by a college professor. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and calls for greater accountability in addressing sexual misconduct on college campuses. The student, who sustained 90% burns, had lodged a complaint with the college's internal complaints committee on July 1, alleging that Professor Samir Kumar Sahu had asked her for "favours" and threatened to destroy her academic career if she did not comply. Despite assurances that action would be taken within seven days, the student felt ignored and protested outside the college gate, culminating in her attempted suicide.

Key Takeaways:

  • A 20-year-old female undergraduate student in Odisha's Fakir Mohan autonomous college attempted to take her own life due to alleged inaction over her complaint of sexual harassment against Professor Samir Kumar Sahu.
  • The student had lodged a complaint with the college's internal complaints committee on July 1, but no concrete action was taken, leading her to feel ignored and helpless.
  • Two of the student's male friends who tried to save her are also being treated for burn injuries.
  • The college principal, Dilip Ghosh, was suspended by the higher education department for failing to take action in the case.
  • An acquaintance of the student alleged that the internal committee's hearing was a "sham" and that the investigation was designed to protect the teacher and bury the truth.
  • Students have also accused two other teachers of persistent harassment, highlighting a broader culture of impunity in the college.
  • Odisha's higher education minister, Suryabanshi Suraj, has constituted a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the incident and determine further action.

Statistics:

  • The student sustained 90% burns and is currently battling for her life in AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
  • The incident is the second reported case of a student's death by suicide due to alleged sexual harassment in an Indian college in recent months.
  • In February, a 20-year-old Nepalese girl student died by suicide at KIIT University in Bhubaneswar.
  • The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had probed the incident and found that the university had failed to form an internal complaint committee as required by the POSH Act.

Sources:

  • Hindustan Times, [Survey of incidents of sexual harassment in educational institutions: India's institutions failed to put in place institutional mechanisms](https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/survey-of-incidents-of-sexual-harassment-in-educational-institutions-india-s-institutions-failed-to-put-in-place-institutional-mechanisms/story-b8cZ2XbYrSVPpJTLw9a6K.html)
  • The New Indian Express, [Sexual harassment: Student takes her own life after alleged inaction by college authorities](https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2023/jul/11/sexual-harassment-student-takes-her-own-life-after-alleged-inaction-by-college-authorities-2601337.html)
  • OdishaTV, [Odisha govt forms probe panel on student's alleged harassment by college professor](https://odishatv.in/news/odisha/odisha-govt-forms-probe-panel-on-students-alleged-harassment-by-college-professor-1742039)
  • National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), [Right to Life: Manipal University ignores POSH Act, allow culprit to escape prosecution for 6 months](https://nhrc.nic.in/news/right-to-life-manipal-university-ignores-posh-act-allow-culprit-escape-prosecution-6-months)