Former Odisha Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik lambasted the BJP-led state government for “terrible neglect” following the self-immolation death of a female college student in Pattamundai, Kendrapara district, on Wednesday. The 20-year-old allegedly set herself on fire after her ex-boyfriend threatened to leak intimate photos online, with her father claiming police refused to register an FIR six months ago, advising instead to block the accused’s number. Kendrapara SP Siddharth Kataria promised a personal probe into the police’s inaction.

In a poignant X post, Patnaik expressed grief: “Deeply saddened and anguished to know that a girl from Pattamundai, Kendrapara, set herself on fire in desperation after her pleas for justice fell on deaf ears yet again.” He highlighted a disturbing trend, noting three similar deaths of young women in Odisha within a month, including a Balasore student who self-immolated on July 12 after alleged sexual harassment and a Puri teenager killed on July 19. “Each fatal flame indicates a disturbing pattern in Odisha,” Patnaik said, accusing the Mohan Charan Majhi government of systemic apathy.

Patnaik questioned, “How many more funeral pyres must light up before the BJP government wakes up? How many more mothers must hold the ashes of their daughters?” He pointed to daily reports of crimes against women, amplifying public outrage on X over administrative failures.

The BJD and Congress have called for protests, with a statewide bandh planned for August 17, demanding accountability. Chief Minister Majhi announced a judicial inquiry into the Kendrapara case, but opposition leaders, including Congress’ Rahul Gandhi, labeled these incidents “systemic murders,” urging stronger action.

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