Jolted by a student’s self-immolation following the alleged failure to redress her complaint of harassment, and the subsequent national outrage, the Odisha government on Friday (July 18, 2025) directed all colleges to sensitise teachers, non-teaching staff and students on the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, within three days.

The State government also issued instructions to display the women’s helpline number 181 at strategic locations on educational campuses.

All universities and colleges have been asked to organise sensitisation workshops on the provisions of the POSH Act and the University Grants Commission (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of Sexual Harassment of Women Employees and Students in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2015.

Since July 14, the State government has issued a series of directives to colleges, schools and government offices to constitute internal committees as mandated under the POSH Act.

“The State government is committed to ensuring the safety, dignity and empowerment of women in all educational and professional environment. District administrations are therefore expected to act with urgency and diligence to create a safe environment for girls and women and uphold the provisions of the law in both letter and spirit,” State Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja wrote in a letter addressed to all departments on Thursday (July 18, 2025).

Mr. Ahuja also stressed on the constitution of internal complaint committees, capacity building and sensitisation, time-bound inquiry and redressal mechanisms, as well as annual reporting and transparency.

Meanwhile, the Biju Janata Dal has announced a plan to organise a massive picketing of all Revenue Divisional Commissioners’ offices on July 21.