Bhubaneswar: BJD leader Sujata Rout has thrown her party’s full support behind youth-led protests, firmly declaring that waving the national Tricolour is a democratic right — not a crime.
Addressing reporters, Rout reaffirmed the Biju Janata Dal’s long-standing solidarity with Gen Z and its defence of peaceful dissent. “The BJD has always stood with Gen Z,” she said.
“I believe that waving or hoisting the Tricolour is not a crime in India. Therefore, we strongly support any form of protest that is non-violent and peaceful.”
Her comments come as conversations around youth-led demonstrations gain momentum across the country. The regional party is once again positioning itself as a consistent voice for constitutional rights, the freedom of peaceful assembly, and meaningful engagement with younger generations.
Meanwhile, Rout hailed the student community of Odisha after the recent college elections, claiming a sweeping success for the party’s student wing despite what she described as intense pressure from the ruling BJP.
Speaking after the results, Rout declared that the Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD) had secured victory in 70 per cent of colleges across the state. She accused the BJP-led government of deploying police, college authorities and administrative machinery to intimidate BCJD leaders, along with alleged use of muscle power, money power and violence.
“I congratulate the entire college student community of Odisha on these excellent results,” Rout said.
“The Biju Janata Dal has always stood with the youth and students of this state, and we will continue to do so. Everyone is familiar with the so-called efficiency and integrity of the BJP government in Odisha. Yet during these elections they stooped to new lows. They tried to pressurise our student leaders through college administrations, the police and the bureaucracy.
Still, the Biju Chhatra Janata Dal won in 70 per cent of colleges. Truth and non-violence have prevailed. The growing popularity of Naveen Patnaik among Odisha’s youth has clearly rattled the BJP.”
