Former Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, launched a sharp criticism against the state's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government on Tuesday. His target was the administration's handling of a disturbing gang rape case involving a 17-year-old student in the capital city, Bhubaneswar. This immediately triggered a fiery rebuttal from Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who accused the veteran Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader of politicizing a tragic incident.
The Incident and Swift Arrests
The controversy stems from a horrific crime reported on the evening of December 10 on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. According to police, a Plus II student was allegedly gang-raped by two men after they overpowered her male friend. The law enforcement acted promptly, arresting both accused on Monday. Notably, one of the arrested individuals is a notorious criminal who was recently released on bail.
Patnaik's Scathing Attack on Government Inaction
Taking to social media platform X, Naveen Patnaik expressed deep concern over the incident, calling it "extremely sensitive and disturbing." He used the platform to question the government's efficacy in controlling crime. "Brutality and lawlessness have crossed all limits, with the state capital becoming unsafe. Criminals are becoming fearless, and the govt is losing credibility," Patnaik wrote in his post.
He directly linked the incident to the ruling party's governance, stating that the failure to ensure a safe environment for women reflects the BJP government's incompetence and insensitive behaviour. Patnaik urged the administration to be proactive in preventing such crimes rather than reacting after they occur.
Government's Strong Rebuttal and Defence
The response from the government was swift and forceful. Deputy CM Pravati Parida hit back at Patnaik's allegations, emphasizing the police's immediate action in the case. "People of Odisha would never expect someone of your stature to do politics over a tragic incident. When will you speak the truth? The truth is the police took swift action in this case and arrested the accused," Parida replied on X.
She asserted that under the current government, the law is taking its due course. Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan also stepped in to reaffirm the government's commitment. He contrasted the current administration's approach with the previous one, claiming a zero-tolerance policy against criminals. "Women's safety is a priority for us. Whenever unfortunate incidents occurred, police acted swiftly and arrests were made," Harichandan stated.
He further highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen the judicial response, mentioning the establishment of fast-track courts to exclusively try cases of violence against women. This political clash has intensified as the opposition continues to press the BJP government on the issue of law and order in Odisha.
