In a shocking turn of events, Udit Pradhan, the Odisha Youth Congress President, was arrested on July 20, 2025, following allegations of raping a female student.
The case, registered at Mancheswar Police Station in Bhubaneswar, has ignited a political storm, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing the Congress party of double standards in its advocacy for women’s safety.
Abhilash Panda, the state president of the BJP’s Yuva Morcha, addressed a press conference at the party’s state office, condemning Congress for appointing Udit despite his alleged involvement in prior criminal activities. Panda revealed that Udit was named in a dacoity case at Khandagiri Police Station on May 27, 2024, alongside accusations of fraud and assault. Yet, on August 13, 2024, Congress appointed him as the Youth Congress President, a move Panda described as exposing the party’s “two-faced policy.”
“Udit protested on the streets for women’s safety, demanding the resignation of the Chief Minister and Higher Education Minister, but his true character as an alleged rapist has now been revealed,” Panda said. He criticised Congress for merely suspending Udit from his post, questioning whether the party believes this absolves them of responsibility.
Panda demanded the resignation of Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President Bhakta Das on moral grounds, citing his earlier protests over the Balasore FM College incident while ignoring his party’s association with an alleged criminal.
The BJP leader also called out Congress’s national leadership, including Rahul Gandhi and women’s wing chief Alka Lamba, for their silence. “Rahul Gandhi is quick to tweet on every issue from Delhi, but will he address his party leader’s criminal actions? Will Alka Lamba, who spoke on women’s safety in Odisha, hold a press conference on this rape case?” Panda asked. He contrasted Congress’s history, citing cases like Anjana Mishra, Chhabi Rani, and Naina Sahni, with the BJP government’s swift action in recent cases, such as the arrests in the Balasore FM College and Balanga incidents. Under Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s zero-tolerance policy, the state government has ensured prompt investigations and arrests in cases of violence against women. In the Balasore case, the accused professor and college principal were arrested and sent to court, while in Puri, the victim was airlifted to Delhi for advanced treatment. Crime Branch investigations are ongoing in both cases, with assurances that no accused will be spared, regardless of their influence.
The arrest of Udit Pradhan has raised questions about Congress’s vetting process and its commitment to women’s safety. At the same time, the BJP continues to position itself as a party of decisive action against such crimes. As the case unfolds, all eyes are on Congress’s response to the allegations against its youth leader.
