Outrage over attempts to kill teen girl by setting her on fire in Odisha

Even as the tragic death of a girl student at a college in Balasore remains fresh in public memory, the broad daylight attack and setting ablaze of a 15-year-old girl by miscreants on Saturday (July 19, 2025) has kept the political cauldron fire burning, with the Mohan Majhi government facing mounting criticism for its failure to restore law and order.

Both Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress workers took to the streets immediately to register their outrage over the crime. Congress women’s wing members hurled tomatoes and eggs at the residence of Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who hails from the region where the incident took place.

Deeply anguished: Patnaik

Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said on X: “I am deeply anguished to know that a young girl was set on fire in Balanga area of Puri District. This attempt to kill her happened in broad daylight. I strongly condemn this horrible act.”

“It has happened just within a week of the terrible incident of a young girl setting herself ablaze in FM College after she was denied justice — even after knocking on every door, and a month after the horrific incident in Gopalpur,” Mr. Patnaik said.

Observing that such unthinkable incidents against women were being reported almost daily across Odisha, he said, “These are not stray cases of violence. These incidents occurring with shocking regularity point to a deep systemic failure of governance. It shows that criminals have become emboldened under the present government and are not worried about being punished.”

“It shows how Odisha is becoming highly unsafe for women due to government inaction and political patronage. Will the Odisha government wake up from this deep slumber and take speedy action so that the criminals are arrested? And more importantly will the government respond so that such incidents are not repeated? The girls and women of Odisha await a response,” said Mr Patnaik.

Commenting on the horrific incident, Bhakta Charan Das, President of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee, said although such incidents were occurring repeatedly, the government and administration turned into mere spectators. “Girl students and women are unsafe in the State. Criminals no longer fear the government, administration and police. The situation is becoming acute by days. Yet, the BJP government, utterly insensitive, continues to beat the drum of good governance,” said Mr. Das.

In a post on X, senior Congress leader K.C. Venugopal said: “While Odisha is still reeling under the shock of the Balasore incident, another horrific crime has come to light. How deep must the systemic rot in the police system be for criminals to set a girl on fire in broad daylight with such impunity?”

“With every passing hour, Odisha is becoming an even more unsafe place for women. The BJP government, busy helping its cronies loot the State, should take full responsibility for the law and order collapse in the State and address this crisis at the earliest,” he charged.

Will ensure strict action: BJP

State BJP President Manmohan Samal hinted at strong action. “Such atrocities against minors is not acceptable in any civilised society. This incident is not only an attack on a minor but also a blow to the entirety of humanity. Our government is committed to taking this incident with utmost seriousness and ensuring strict action against the culprits,” said Mr. Samal.

Deputy CM Pravati Parida said she was shattered hearing the news about the incident. “The girl has been immediately shifted to AIIMS Hospital in Bhubaneswar, where all arrangements for her treatment are being made. The government will bear the entire cost of her treatment. The police administration has been directed to arrest the culprits immediately and take strict action against them,” she said.