BJD MPs Stage Protest in Parliament over Rising Crimes Against Women, Children in Odisha

New Delhi: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MPs held a protest at the Gandhi statue in Parliament on Tuesday, condemning the alleged surge in crimes against women and children in BJP-ruled Odisha.

The MPs accused the state government of failing to maintain law and order, demanding immediate central intervention and a judicial inquiry into recent “horrific” incidents.

Carrying placards with slogans like ‘Mahilaon ki cheekh aur sarkar ki khamoshi’ (the cries of women and the silence of the government) and ‘Odisha BJP ka shaasan, apradhiyo ki shaan’ (BJP’s rule in Odisha, a pride for criminals), the BJD MPs highlighted two recent cases.

Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Sasmit Patra cited the tragic death of a student from FM College in Balasore, who self-immolated after her pleas for justice were ignored, even by the Chief Minister. He also highlighted an incident in Puri, where a young girl was doused with petrol by miscreants and is now battling for her life at AIIMS Delhi.

He labeled the BJP-led Odisha government a “complete failure,” accusing it of adopting a “convenient and double-standard” stance on women’s safety.

He demanded a judicial inquiry into both incidents and strict action against the perpetrators.

The BJD criticized the BJP’s ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ slogan, stating that the party has failed to protect Odisha’s daughters despite using the campaign to gain power.

The crimes against women and students continue “unabated” under the BJP’s “double engine government” in Odisha, it added.