- Unprecedented Rise in Rape, Murder and Harassment of Young Women.
- Around 15 Girls Fall Victim to Rape Daily in the State.
- Students to Stage Walkouts, Picketing, Wear Black Badges, and Burn Effigies.
Bhubaneswar, 23/06/2025: In response to the alarming rise in incidents of rape, murder and harassment of young women in the state, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Youth and Student Wing has announced a statewide student protest on 25.06.2025. The Youth and Student Wing of BJD has accused the ruling BJP government in Odisha of remaining a silent spectator amid worsening law and order conditions.
In a press conference held at Shankha Bhavan today, senior BJD General Secretary and MLA Dr. Byomkesh Ray along with former student leader and MLA Shri Devi Ranjan Tripathy strongly criticized the state government over the deteriorating law and order situation and informed about the upcoming protest.
Dr. Byomkesh Ray stated that since the BJP assumed power in the state, law and order has been consistently declining. Every day, newspapers are filled with reports of young women being harassed, raped, kidnapped, or murdered. In one shocking incident at the tourist destination, Gopalpur, a girl was gang-raped in front of her male friend who was tied to a tree. Similarly, a tragic incident occurred in Chief Minister’s home district Keonjhar. On average, about 15 girls are raped daily in Odisha. Such rising cases have led to a climate of fear and insecurity among women.
It is deeply unfortunate and painful that the state government remains indifferent and has completely failed to control the worsening law and order situation, said Dr. Byomkesh Ray. While the law and order is in crisis and 11 districts are battling cholera and diarrhea outbreaks, the BJP government in Odisha is busy celebrating the one-year anniversary of its rule. To draw the government’s attention and hold it accountable, the BJD Youth and Student Wing will organize statewide student protests.
Shri Devi Ranjan Tripathy added that on 25.06.2025, as part of this protest, students will participate in class boycotts, wear black badges, hold picketing, and burn effigies. These activities will be conducted in all colleges across the state.
