BJP’s double-engine government in Odisha failed to tackle crimes against women, alleges Congress

Congress leaders Ajay Kumar Lallu (right) and Bhakta Charan Das, at the AICC HQ in New Delhi on on March 7, 2025.
| Photo Credit: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar

Hitting out at the BJP over alleged increase in crimes against women in Odisha, the Congress on Friday (March 7, 2025) claimed that 54 incidents of gang-rape have taken place in the past eight months with the ‘‘double-engine government remaining silent”.

Addressing a press conference at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) office, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Bhakta Charan Das said the Centre should pay attention to the situation in Odisha and if it is unable to do so, the Supreme Court should order the State government to change its attitude.

“For the last 24 years, the Biju Janata Dal government was in power in Odisha. Meanwhile, from 2000 to 2009, the BJP and BJD together ruled Odisha. The BJP government has been in power for the last eight months. Chief Minister Mohan Majhi himself has stated that 3,420 women and 8,403 children are missing,” Mr Das claimed.

“There have been 54 incidents of gang-rape in the last eight months. Along with this, incidents of rape and murder of minor girls are continuously increasing in Odisha. All this is happening, but the BJP’s ‘double-engine’ government is silent,” he added.

“Mr. Das said the rate of crime against women in Odisha was 9.3% in 2022, but now 31,000 cases have been registered, which shows an increase of 8%. “Mostly tribal and Dalit women are affected in this,” he claimed.

Newly-appointed AICC in-charge of Odisha Ajay Lallu said the Congress ‘‘gheraoed the CM’s residence’‘ and the issue was raised in the State Assembly but the government adjourned the Assembly instead of hearing out to the Opposition.

“Now on March 10, we will surround all the district headquarters. Let us tell you that all the incidents that have happened, have happened with the sisters of tribal, backward and Dalit classes. Women are not safe in Odisha,” Mr. Lallu said.