-Abdul Bari Masoud
New Delhi: The Congress accused the BJP government in Odisha of failing to protect women, citing shocking incidents of sexual exploitation. One victim gave birth in an exam hall. The party urged accountability and a serious response.
At an AICC press conference, Odisha Congress chief Bhakta Charan Das and state in-charge Ajay Kumar Lallu detailed gang rapes and sexual abuse cases, including victims as young as six. Quoting government figures, Das said in eight months, 3,420 women and 8,430 children went missing, and 54 gang rapes occurred.
The party called on the Supreme Court to take suo moto notice, criticizing the CM’s insensitive comparison to the previous regime. Das questioned the fate of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, citing cases of schoolgirls becoming pregnant after rape.
He urged the President and Centre to act, warning that unchecked crimes would escalate. If the government fails, Congress wants a Supreme Court-ordered probe by a sitting judge. The party will launch statewide protests.
Lallu slammed Odisha’s law and order, noting that 13 women go missing daily and 54 rapes occurred in eight months. He questioned the Home Minister’s silence, demanding justice for victims and strict action against culprits.
