Bhubaneswar: The Congress today staged a massive protest against the Odisha state government over the increasing incidents of atrocities against women.
Hundreds of Congress workers led by Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Bhakta Charan Das, attempted to gherao the Chief Minister’s official residence in Bhubaneswar, resulting in clashes with the police.
The Congress organized the rally to demand stronger action on women’s safety issues in the state. Congress workers called for the formation of a fact-finding committee to investigate the alarming rise in crimes against women. As they marched towards the Chief Minister’s residence, scuffles erupted between the protesters and police.
The Congress alleged that over 1,600 women have been victims of various forms of violence since the BJP government came to power in Odisha.
OPCC President Bhakta Charan Das criticized the state administration, stating, “Girls in various schools across Odisha are unsafe. Parents are worried. The government and administration remain silent.”
He highlighted several distressing incidents, including the death of a Nepalese engineering student at KIIT University and the cases of a 10th-class student becoming a mother each in Malkangiri’s Chitrakonda and Jajpur’s Bari. Congress leaders accused the government of failing to ensure the safety of women and girls across the state.
Senior Congress leaders, including former Jatani MLA Suresh Chandra Routray, as well as members from the Student, Youth, and Women’s wings of the party took part in the protest rally.
Notably, this marked Bhakta Charan Das’s first major protest against the state government since assuming the role of OPCC President.
