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🚹 Odisha Gears Up for Huge Bandh! đŸ˜±âœŠ

TL;DR: Today, July 17, Odisha is under a 12‑hour bandh called by eight opposition parties protesting the self‑immolation of a 20‑year‑old Balasore college student who faced alleged sexual harassment by a professor 😱✊. Markets, schools, public transport shut down, with highways like NH‑16 blocked and hundreds of vehicles stranded 🛑🚛. Essential services like hospitals and pharmacies remain functional. Protesters demand a judicial inquiry, resignation of top officials, and justice for women’s safety. The bandh is peaceful but heavily policed, with drones and tear‑gas used in limited incidents.

đŸ”„ What’s Going On

  • The bandh started at 6 am today and lasts till 6 pm, called by Congress + 7 parties, including CPI, CPM, Forward Bloc, etc., demanding justice after the self‑immolation incident on July 12 and the student’s death on July 14.

  • The protest centres on alleged sexual harassment by the HOD and inaction by college authorities and state police.

đŸš« Closed

  • Roads & Transport: Major highways like NH‑16 choked, with hundreds of trucks and vehicles stranded around Balasore and Bhadrak.

  • Shops, Schools & Colleges: All educational institutes and commercial establishments across affected districts like Balasore, Bhadrak, Jaleswar, Basta, Soro, etc., remain shut.

  • Public Transit: Bus and train services disrupted; public transport off the roads.

✅ Open or Operating

  • Hospitals & Pharmacies: Emergency and healthcare services are running normally.

  • Trains: Running but likely delayed due to track blockades.

  • Banks & Govt Offices: No official closures, but staff reduced and limited public access in key offices like Lok Seva Bhawan.

🚓 Security & Clashes

  • Heavy Security: Police deployed AI drones, 15+ platoons, tear‑gas and water‑cannons in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.

  • Clashes: Over 100 protesters detained; limited scuffles near Lok Seva Bhawan. BJD leaders allege rubber‑bullet use; police deny it & say only tear‑gas/water used.

🎯 Protester Demands

  • Judicial Inquiry into the harassment & self‑immolation case.

  • Resignation of Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj and CM Mohan Charan Majhi.

  • Checks for Women’s Safety and stronger justice mechanisms for girls across Odisha.

🧼 Stats & Highlights

Metric

Value

Bandh Duration

12 hours (6 am–6 pm)

Parties Involved

Congress, CPI, CPM, Forward Bloc, RJD, NCP, SP, BJD (earlier)

Student

20 years old, 2nd‑year BEd, Fakir Mohan College

Incident

Self‑immolation on July 12, died July 14; accused professor & principal arrested

Enforcement

15+ platoons, AI drones, tear‑gas, water cannon, 100+ detentions

🧠 From the People’s Perspective

This bandh reflects deep frustration with a system that repeatedly fails young women. From a workers’ angle, it’s not just a protest—it’s a collective uproar demanding justice, transparency, and safety 🙌. Everyday people—students, oxcart drivers, teachers—are saying: “Enough is enough.” They want public institutions to stand with them, protect them, and deliver justice—not protect the powerful.

✌ Let’s Talk

What do you think? Should every college have a gender‑safety cell with real powers? Comment below—your voice matters! đŸ”„

MediaFx take: For too long, the voices of rural youth and working‑class women have been drowned in red tape and cover‑ups đŸ’„. This bandh shows real public anger, and it’s a wake‑up call: only people-powered pressure can break the cycle of institutional apathy. Justice now or more tragedies ahead—this isn’t politics, it’s survival.

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