Balanga Victim’s Death Fuels Political Firestorm in Odisha

The minor was allegedly set ablaze in Balanga and was initially treated at Bhubaneswar AIIMS before being airlifted to Delhi AIIMS for advanced care. Despite all efforts, the girl tragically passed away, leaving the state in mourning. The incident has sparked outrage, with political parties trading barbs over accountability and justice.

BJP spokesperson Manoj Mohapatra accused the BJD and Congress of engaging in “vulture-like politics,” claiming they are using the tragedy as a platform for political mileage. “Like vultures circling a corpse, the opposition is playing cheap politics over a child’s death,” Mohapatra said, defending the government’s swift response in arranging medical treatment and airlifting the victim. He criticised the BJD’s 24-year rule under former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, questioning whether any ordinary citizen was airlifted for treatment during their tenure. Mohapatra also referenced past incidents, including a death at BJD leader Pramila Mallick’s residence and the Kalinga Nagar firing, where ₹14 crore was spent on a judicial inquiry with no arrests, to highlight the BJD’s alleged inaction.

In response, BJD spokesperson Lelin Mohanty condemned the BJP’s “vulture” remark, calling it a reflection of their “despicable mentality.” Mohanty questioned the BJP’s own conduct as an opposition party for the past decade, asking, “Were they parading like vultures on the streets?” He raised concerns about a police tweet issued just 10 minutes after the victim’s death, demanding clarity on its timing. The BJD has called for ₹2 crore in compensation for the victim’s family and the arrest of the accused within seven days, emphasising that the incident occurred in the constituency of the Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida. Mohanty accused the BJP of evading accountability and dragging politics to a new low.

The BJD has organised protests and prayer meetings across the state, demanding justice for the victim. Meanwhile, BJP leaders have expressed grief and highlighted the government’s efforts to support the victim’s family. However, these assurances have failed to quell the opposition’s criticism, which continues to focus on perceived failures in law and order.

Opposition Intensifies Criticism

The opposition has raised serious concerns about the state’s law and order, alleging a cover-up to shield the perpetrators. At a press conference held at Sankha Bhawan, senior BJD leaders Pramila Mallik, Tukuni Sahu, and Dr. Lekhasri Samantsinghar slammed the BJP government for its inaction in apprehending the culprits even two weeks after the Balanga incident. They accused the police of hastily labelling the case as a “suicide” to dismiss the involvement of others, casting suspicion on the administration’s intentions.

Mallik highlighted that Balanga falls under the constituency of Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, fueling public speculation about the involvement of her close aides or BJP workers. “The failure to arrest the perpetrators raises serious questions about the police administration,” Mallik stated. She also referenced other recent incidents, including a student’s self-immolation at FM College and a gang rape on Gopalpur beach, which have brought shame to Odisha nationally and internationally.

Tukuni Sahu emphasised the growing insecurity among women under the BJP’s one-year rule, stating, “Every mother in Odisha is afraid to let her daughter step out.” Sahu vowed that the BJD would continue its fight for justice and the safety of women in Odisha.

Dr. Samantsinghar further alleged that the government’s narrative of labelling such incidents as suicides masks the reality of murder. She pointed out that police officers who failed to act in the FM College case remain unpunished, and in the Balanga case, the police’s claim of no third-party involvement post the victim’s death is a “new theory” designed to protect the accused. She noted that the victim’s family was kept in isolation, adding to the suspicion. 

Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters in Indira Bhawan, New Delhi, All India Mahila Congress President Alka Lamba accused the BJP-led Odisha government of its inaction and shielding the perpetrators.

Lamba announced that the Mahila Congress would organise a “Justice March” outside the Odisha Legislative Assembly to demand accountability and protection for women. “The BJP government is giving a clean chit to the accused while crocodile tears are shed by the Chief Minister. We will fight until the victim gets justice and the culprits are punished with the death penalty,” she asserted.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Saptagiri Ulaka escalated the attack, accusing the BJP government of presiding over a collapsed law and order system. Ulaka revealed he had raised the Balanga issue in the Lok Sabha during Zero Hour two days prior. He condemned the government for failing to arrest the three alleged perpetrators and questioned the police’s claim of no external involvement. “This is the second such incident in a month, following the FM College case, where culprits remain at large. What is happening in Odisha? The law and order situation is in disarray,” Ulaka said. He urged the central government and President Droupadi Murmu to intervene and address the crisis. Ulaka also called for Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s resignation, arguing that he has failed to manage his dual role as Home Minister.

The Balanga incident, coupled with recent cases like the FM College self-immolation and the Gopalpur gang rape, has intensified scrutiny of the BJP government’s handling of women’s safety in Odisha.

As protests and demands for justice grow, the state remains gripped by a political and social crisis, with the opposition vowing to escalate their agitation until accountability is ensured.