Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has announced a statewide protest on March 6 against the Odisha government’s decision to reschedule the celebration of Panchayati Raj Diwas from March 5 to April 24. The move has sparked controversy, with the BJD accusing the BJP-led government of undermining the legacy of former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik.
During a press conference on Tuesday, senior BJD leader Sanjay Das Burma criticized the BJP government’s decision, stating, “Panchayati Raj Diwas has been observed on March 5, the birth anniversary of Biju Patnaik, for the last three decades to honour his contributions to the Panchayati Raj system. The BJP government’s decision to shift the date to April 24 is an insult to his legacy and an anti-constitutional move.”
Burma highlighted Biju Patnaik’s pioneering role in implementing the three-tier Panchayati Raj system in Odisha and his advocacy for women’s empowerment. “Biju Babu was the first leader in India to ensure 33% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj institutions. He believed that development is impossible without empowering women and involving them in decision-making at the grassroots level,” he said.
The BJD leader urged the people of Odisha, including youth, students, and women, to join the protest on March 6. “We will celebrate Biju Patnaik’s birth anniversary on March 5 as usual, but on March 6, we will protest against the government’s deceitful actions,” Burma added.
Biju Patnaik, often referred to as the architect of the Panchayati Raj system in Odisha, implemented the system in 1991, a year before the central government constitutionalized it through the 73rd and 74th amendments in 1992. While the Union government has been observing Panchayati Raj Day on April 24 since 2010, Odisha has consistently celebrated it on March 5 to honor Patnaik’s contributions.
The BJD’s protest underscores the party’s commitment to preserving Biju Patnaik’s legacy and opposing what it calls the BJP government’s disregard for Odisha’s historical and constitutional values.
