BJD Protests Against Rising Violence and Atrocities on Women in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Monday staged massive protests outside the offices of the Revenue Divisional Commissioners (RDCs) in Cuttack, Berhampur, and Sambalpur, demanding a judicial inquiry into the tragic death of a 20-year-old B.Ed second-year student from Fakir Mohan College, Balasore.

The student, who had sustained 95% burn injuries in an alleged self-immolation attempt on July 12, succumbed to her injuries two days later at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. Her death has triggered widespread public outrage across Odisha and beyond.

Joining the protest in Cuttack, BJD senior vice-president Debi Prasad Mishra alleged that despite repeated pleas, the student received no support from influential figures, including the local MP and the state’s Higher Education Minister.

The BJD has dismissed the ongoing Crime Branch probe as insufficient and biased, arguing that it lacks both transparency and independence to investigate systemic failures involving political interference, administrative negligence, and institutional breakdown.

Protest marches were held from Sunshine Field (Cuttack), Gangadhar Mandap (Sambalpur), and Khalikote University Ground (Berhampur), culminating at the respective RDC offices.

In Cuttack, tensions briefly escalated as demonstrators attempted to enter the RDC premises, leading to minor scuffles with police. Eventually, a delegation of BJD leaders was permitted to submit a memorandum addressed to the Governor, reiterating the demand for a judicial inquiry led by a sitting judge of the Orissa High Court, as per reports.

The memorandum cited a disturbing pattern of crimes against women in the state, including the gang rape of a college student at Gopalpur beach, the death of the Balasore student, and the recent burning of a minor girl in Balanga, Puri.

The party described these incidents as evidence of a broader collapse in law enforcement and women’s safety mechanisms, labeling the student’s death not just a personal tragedy but a “systemic failure” of the government.

The BJD asserted that only a judicial inquiry could ensure a thorough, credible investigation into the alleged criminal negligence of those in power—including ministers, police officials, educational administrators, and elected representatives.