Bhubaneswar, June 25(OT Webdesk): Odisha witnessed a sweeping wave of protests on Wednesday as the youth and student wings of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) launched a statewide agitation condemning the escalating crimes against women.
From university corridors to bustling city squares, the protest was marked by black badges, effigy burnings, and class boycotts under the “All Odisha Student Strike.
Institutions like Rajadhani College and Utkal University became protest hotspots, as students called for urgent state intervention to ensure women’s safety.
Addressing a spirited gathering in Begunia, MLA Pradeep Sahu decried the state’s deteriorating law and order situation.
“Our silence emboldens crime. It’s time the government acts decisively,” he said.
BJD leaders Byomkesh Ray and Devi Ranjan Tripathy joined the chorus, accusing the ruling BJP of apathy.
Ray highlighted the recent Gopalpur beach gang rape as a grim reminder of the state’s vulnerability, stating, “This isn’t just another crime—it’s a crisis.”
Citing alarming statistics, BJD claimed that over 15 women are physically assaulted or raped daily in Odisha—figures that the party warns are tarnishing the state’s global image.
