Congress Sparks Protests in Odisha Over Rising Crimes Against Women

Congress demonstrated across Odisha, protesting an increase in crimes against women and demanding government accountability. Led by OPCC President Bhakta Charan Das, activists called for justice, citing over 1,600 reported incidents in eight months. BJP defended its governance, questioning similar issues in Congress-ruled states.

In a strong show of dissent, Congress workers staged demonstrations across Odisha on Monday, condemning an alleged surge in crimes against women, including gang rapes.

Equipped with placards and banners while chanting anti-BJP slogans, party leaders and activists organized sit-ins near district collectors’ offices statewide. Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee President Bhakta Charan Das emphasized the peaceful nature of their protests while demanding justice for women in the state. Das, along with several party MLAs, participated in the demonstration, highlighting over 1,600 registered cases of crimes against women, including 54 gang rapes, in just eight months.

Former state Congress leader Niranjan Patnaik criticized the current governance, claiming Odisha leads in crimes against women per capita. The protests also featured mentions of specific brutal incidents in Balasore and Dhenkanal. The Odisha Congress called for the removal of the state's BJP government, accusing it of failing to protect its female population. Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Manoj Mohapatra argued that Congress’s actions were aimed at reclaiming political ground, questioning the party's integrity in Congress-ruled states.