A brazen daylight attack on Pranab Balabantaray, a former Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA and youth leader, has ignited widespread concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in Odisha. The incident occurred on Sunday in the Dharmashala constituency at Aruha, Jajpur district, while Balabantaray was en route to attend a local festival. A group of youths targeted his vehicle, shattering its windows and escalating tensions as locals gathered at the scene. The attack has drawn sharp criticism from former Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik, who has accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of failing to maintain law and order in the state.
In a strongly worded statement posted on X, Patnaik condemned the assault, stating that it reflects the “complete breakdown of law and order” in Odisha. He emphasized the broader implications of the incident, noting that if elected representatives are unsafe, the security of ordinary citizens is under serious threat. “The state government’s inaction, rigidity, and biased attitude are further encouraging anti-social elements and activities,” Patnaik wrote in Odia, urging the government to take immediate and stringent action to curb political violence.
ଧର୍ମଶାଳାର ପୂର୍ବତନ ବିଧାୟକ ତଥା ବିଜୁ ଜନତା ଦଳର ଯୁବ ନେତା ଶ୍ରୀ ପ୍ରଣବ ବଳବନ୍ତରାୟଙ୍କ ଉପରେ ଖୋଲା ଦିବାଲୋକରେ ସଂଘବଦ୍ଧ ଆକ୍ରମଣ ରାଜ୍ୟରେ ବିପର୍ଯ୍ୟସ୍ତ ଆଇନଶୃଙ୍ଖଳାକୁ ଦର୍ଶାଉଛି।
ଜନପ୍ରତିନିଧିମାନେ ଯଦି ରାଜ୍ୟରେ ଅସୁରକ୍ଷିତ, ତେବେ ସାଧାରଣ ଲୋକଙ୍କ ସୁରକ୍ଷା ଉପରେ ବିରାଟ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନବାଚୀ ସୃଷ୍ଟି ହେଉଛି। ଅସାମାଜିକ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ତଥା…
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) April 13, 2025
Balabantaray, who represented Dharmashala in the Odisha Legislative Assembly in 2014 and 2019 but lost the 2024 election, escaped the attack unharmed. However, the incident has added fuel to ongoing criticisms of the BJP government’s handling of law and order. Just last month, on March 18, 2025, the Odisha Assembly witnessed significant disruptions as BJD and Congress members protested the rising crime rates, including a spate of murders and increasing violence against women. Opposition members, including those from Patnaik’s BJD, accused the government of remaining silent on these issues, with some staging walkouts to demand accountability from Majhi’s administration.
Patnaik’s critique is not new. As early as September 2024, he had publicly lashed out at the BJP government during the Odisha Literary Festival, pointing to a “deteriorating law and order situation” and the “stench of corruption” permeating the state. His latest statement amplifies these concerns, positioning the attack on Balabantaray as a symptom of systemic failure under the current regime.
Political analysts suggest that this incident could further polarize Odisha’s political landscape, especially as the BJD, now in opposition, seeks to regain public support ahead of future elections.
As Odisha grapples with this latest incident, questions remain about the BJP government’s ability to address the growing unrest. Chief Minister Majhi, a four-time MLA from Keonjhar and a seasoned BJP leader has yet to respond publicly to the attack on Balabantaray.
With the Opposition intensifying its criticism, the pressure is mounting on his administration to act decisively to restore public confidence in the state’s security apparatus.
