Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has strongly condemned the brutal rape and murder of a 10-year-old girl in the Chandabali area of Bhadrak district, calling the incident “extremely gruesome” and one that has “shaken civilised society.”
In a hard-hitting statement posted on social media, Patnaik highlighted the growing incidents of sexual crimes in Odisha and accused the ruling BJP government of “complete incompetence” in ensuring law and order. “Day by day, incidents like rape are increasing in Odisha, and the government’s inability in this regard is disturbing and terrifying everyone,” he said.
Patnaik lamented that Odisha, once renowned for women’s safety and strong law enforcement, now faces a “tarnished image” globally due to the collapse of security for women under the current administration. “The BJP government’s indifference is surprising everyone while women’s safety in the state is in disarray,” he added.
Questioning the government’s delay in taking exemplary action, the BJD leader asked, “Why is the government hesitating to ensure a safe environment for all through strict measures? How many more innocent lives must be lost before the government wakes up?”
He emphasised that the women of Odisha seek real security, “not the false fanfare of the double-engine government.” Patnaik urged the administration to act proactively and strengthen security measures before the situation worsens further.
ଭଦ୍ରକ, ଚାନ୍ଦବାଲିରେ ୧୧ ବର୍ଷର ଶିଶୁକୁ ଦୁଷ୍କର୍ମ ପରେ ହତ୍ୟା ଘଟଣା ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ବିଭତ୍ସ। ଏହା ସଭ୍ୟ ସମାଜକୁ ଦୋହଲାଇ ଦେଇଛି। ଦିନକୁ ଦିନ ଓଡ଼ିଶାରେ ବଢ଼ୁଥିବା ଦୁଷ୍କର୍ମ ପରି ଘଟଣା ଏବଂ ଏଥିରେ ସରକାରଙ୍କ ଅପାରଗତା ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କୁ ବିଚଳିତ ଓ ଆତଙ୍କିତ କରିଦେଇଛି।
ମହିଳାଙ୍କ ସୁରକ୍ଷା ଏବଂ ଦୃଢ଼ ଆଇନଶୃଙ୍ଖଳା ପାଇଁ ଦିନେ ସୁନାମ ସାଉଁଟୁଥିବା…
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) December 24, 2025
The incident has triggered widespread outrage in the Bhadrak district. Locals protested vehemently, demolishing the house of the accused in Rampalli village and blocking roads. Police arrested the prime accused within hours of the neighbouring Jagatsinghpur district, with heavy forces deployed to maintain order.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida condemned the crime and assured the strictest action against the perpetrators. The BJD and Congress have called for a bandh in the Chandabali block on Thursday to protest the incident.
ALSO READ: Odisha Dy CM Vows Strict Action in Bhadrak Case, Opposition Call Chandabali Bandh
This case adds to the ongoing political debate over women’s safety in Odisha, with opposition parties repeatedly criticising the BJP government since it came to power in 2024 for the alleged rise in crimes against women.
