Bhubaneswar: In a scathing attack on the Odisha government, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Bhakta Charan Das condemned the rising incidents of violence against women, citing the suicide of Soumyashree from Balasore and the burning of a girl student in Nimapara as glaring examples of administrative apathy.
Addressing a press conference at Congress Bhawan on Monday, Das accused the state government of maintaining “criminal silence” on such sensitive issues and failing to act in time.
Das appealed to the people of Odisha to observe July 24, the 11th day after Soumyashree’s death, as a day of tribute and reflection. He urged educational institutions across the state to hold a one-minute silent prayer and close for the day in solidarity with the victims of gender-based violence. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of the Nimapara student, who is still undergoing treatment.
The PCC chief criticized the government for ignoring Soumyashree’s distress signals, including a video message she had recorded before taking her own life. Despite repeated appeals to key figures—including the Chief Minister, State and Union Education Ministers, MPs, MLAs, and the Balasore SP—Das alleged that no support or justice was extended to the victim’s family. “Even an FIR wasn’t filed. This question will haunt the state for generations,” he said, holding the Chief Minister directly accountable.
While the Congress has demanded a judicial inquiry, the government has opted for a Crime Branch investigation. Das raised concerns about the integrity of the officer leading the probe, claiming he had a history of alleged involvement in past atrocities—a matter Das said would be publicly exposed soon. He warned the ruling party not to underestimate the Congress and alleged that any attempt to suppress dissent would only expose the failures of the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and other ministers.
In response to media queries, Das emphasized that the dignity of women is non-negotiable and central to the Congress’s vision of social justice. He questioned the legitimacy of a government that has yet to appoint a State Women’s Commission, and slammed the administration for failing to deliver justice even to a student linked to the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). He contrasted this with the Congress’s own approach, citing the immediate suspension of its student wing president after his arrest in a separate case, reinforcing the party’s zero-tolerance stance on injustice.
To follow up on the Nimapara incident, the Congress has constituted a six-member fact-finding committee led by Women’s Congress Vice-President Sasmita Behera. The team will meet the victim and her family to ascertain the truth and ensure accountability.
The press conference was attended by several senior Congress leaders, including former Union Minister Srikant Jena, former PCC President Jayadev Jena, Prasad Harichandan, Taraprasad Bahinipati, Ramesh Jena, Minakshi Bahinipati, Anant Sethi, and Sivananda Ray, among others. OPCC Media Cell Chairman Arabinda Das and party spokespersons were also present.
