The Odisha Congress has launched a scathing attack on the ruling BJP government, accusing it of failing to curb the alarming rise in violence, atrocities, and crimes against women across the state.
At a press conference held at Congress Bhawan, PCC Media, Publicity, and Information Chairman Arabinda Das, along with spokespersons Dr. Manisha Das Pattnaik and Jayshree Patra, condemned the government’s apathy and alleged double standards in addressing these issues.
Highlighting the surge in cases of violence against women, Das claimed that incidents of harassment, torture, and rape have surpassed records set by the previous government within just a year. He questioned the government’s commitment to women’s safety, pointing to specific cases in Jagatsinghpur, Gopalpur, Nayagarh, and Malkangiri, demanding answers on why such incidents continue unabated.
The Congress leaders expressed outrage over the handling of Soumayashree Bisi’s self-immolation case. They raised concerns about the credibility of the Crime Branch officer assigned to investigate the case, citing the officer’s alleged history of brutal conduct. A video purportedly showing the officers’ inhumane behaviour toward a Dalit individual seeking justice from the Chief Minister was presented as evidence of the government’s duplicity.
Das accused the Mohan Majhi-led BJP government of turning a blind eye to women’s plight, likening it to the “Kaurava court” from the Mahabharata. He questioned why the state, which proudly elected Smt Droupadi Murmu as India’s President, is failing to protect its women from heinous atrocities.
“If Odisha could send Smt Droupadi Murmu to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, why is it unable to stop these barbaric acts against women?” Das asked. He criticised the government for merely conducting “postmortems” after incidents occur, instead of taking proactive measures to prevent them.
In the Balanga minor burning case, Das demanded to know how much longer the government would take to arrest the culprits, questioning whether it would be a matter of hours, days, or months. He reiterated Congress’s commitment to fighting for women’s justice, stating, “As the party of Gandhi and Gopabandhu, we will not compromise on women’s rights. Our struggle will continue until justice is served.”
Addressing the arrest of Odisha Youth Congress president Udit Pradhan, Das clarified that the party had immediately suspended him and was cooperating fully with the police investigation. He alleged that the sudden arrest, based on an incident reportedly occurring four months ago, was a deliberate attempt to derail Congress’s movement for women’s justice. However, he assured that if Pradhan is proven innocent through a fair investigation, the party would reinstate him.
Congress vowed to intensify its agitation, warning the government that it cannot suppress their movement for women’s justice. The party’s resolve remains firm in holding the BJP accountable for its failure to ensure women’s safety in Odisha.
