Bhubaneswar, July 17 (UNI) BJP MP and national spokesperson Aparajita Sarangi today slammed the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Congress, stating that both parties have “no moral right” to create unrest in the state over women’s safety issues.
Speaking to reporters, Sarangi said, “It is evident from their behaviour and statements that both BJD and Congress are merely seeking attention.
They are ‘acting like right-wingers and sweeping like witches.’ Their primary objective seems to be to maintain visibility in the news, rather than addressing women’s concerns genuinely.”
The BJP leader said that if the Congress and BJD had genuinely worked for the safety and empowerment of women during their respective governments, the current situation would
not have arisen.
“Before taking to the streets in protest, both parties should introspect on the failures of their past administrations,” she added.
Sarangi described the death of Balasore FM College student Somyashree Bisi as “heartbreaking and deeply saddening,” adding that the incident has disturbed the entire state.
She acknowledged the right of opposition parties to protest but criticised the manner in which it is being done.
“Protesting is a democratic right, but disrupting public order and vitiating the atmosphere is not acceptable,” she said.
Sarangi pointed out that the BJD had been in power in Odisha for 24 years. “Everyone knows the kind of atrocities and misgovernance that occurred during their regime.
Did former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik even visit any victims during such incidents?” she questioned.
“In contrast, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi met the victims twice, closely monitored their treatment, and even directed officials to airlift them to Delhi if necessary,” she noted.
The BJP MP also referred to the Congress government preceding the BJD, alleging that women suffered atrocities then too. “But did the President ever come forward to meet the victims during
those times?” she asked. “This time, however, the President expressed her desire to meet the victims.”
Sarangi further alleged that there is social media evidence showing leaders of the Chhatra
Congress instigated the student’s suicide.
“Yesterday, the deceased girl’s brother lodged an FIR at Bhograi police station, stating that his
family feels unsafe due to continued harassment by Congress and BJD workers,” she said,
calling the situation “highly condemnable and alarming.”
The BJP spokesperson assured that the state government stands firmly with the victim’s family and with all the women and girls of Odisha.
“The government has issued directives for urgent measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents,” she added.
Sarangi said that Chief Minister Majhi has taken swift and strict action in the FM College case.
“Even before a full investigation, the accused professor was suspended, arrested, and is now facing trial. The college principal was also arrested within 24 hours based on a high-level committee’s report,” she informed.
Reiterating the government’s commitment, she said, “Odisha is adopting a zero-tolerance approach towards violence against women. Those involved will not be spared.”
She concluded by saying that strict action will be taken not just in this case, but also to ensure that such incidents do not recur in any educational institution in the future.
