Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) carried out a massive “gherao” (encirclement) of the Lok Seva Bhawan, the state secretariat, in Bhubaneswar. The protest, which involved hundreds of BJD workers, escalated into confrontations with police, leading to the use of water cannons and tear gas.
The primary reason for today’s large-scale protest is the tragic death of Soumyashree Bisi, a 20-year-old B.Ed student from Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore, who succumbed to injuries on July 14, 2025, after allegedly setting herself on fire. The BJD alleges that her complaints of sexual harassment by a faculty member went unaddressed by college authorities and the state government.
During the protest, BJD workers attempted to break through barricades and advance towards the Lok Seva Bhawan. Police responded with water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowd, leading to fisticuffs and scuffles between the protestors and law enforcement. Several BJD leaders, including Priti Ranjan Ghadei, Pranab Prakash Das, and Sulata Deo, were reportedly hit by rubber bullets and subsequently shifted to Capital Hospital. Senior Vice President of BJD, Debi Prasad Mishra was also taken into police custody along with other leaders.
In anticipation of the protest, the Odisha Home Department had issued a security advisory, instructing government employees to report to work by 9:00 AM and closing the front gates of Lok Seva Bhawan. Entry was restricted to rear gates, with intensified security checks.
The BJD has demanded a judicial inquiry into Soumyashree’s death by a sitting judge of the Orissa High Court. They are also calling for the resignation of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj on moral grounds, citing a breakdown in law and order and the government’s failure to ensure women’s safety. The party has stated that their agitation will continue until justice is served.