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Indian Express
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
BJD MPs protest in Parliament over ‘rising' crimes against women, children in Odisha
Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MPs staged a protest at the Gandhi statue in Parliament on Tuesday, decrying the alleged deteriorating law and order situation in BJP-ruled Odisha, particularly the surge in crimes against women and children. Carrying placards that read 'Mahilaon ki cheekh aur sarkar ki khamoshi' (the cries of women and the silence of the government) and 'Odisha BJP ka shaasan, apradhiyo ki shaan' (BJP's rule in Odisha, a pride for criminals), the members demanded immediate central intervention and a judicial inquiry into the recent 'horrific' incidents. Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra said, 'Women and children in Odisha today are completely unprotected. The law and order situation is collapsing.' Citing the incident involving a student of FM College in Balasore, who died after self-immolating when her pleas for justice went unheard, Patra said, 'She approached everyone, including the chief minister, but got no justice.' 'And now in Puri, another young girl was doused in petrol by miscreants and is battling for life at AIIMS Delhi,' he told PTI Videos. He accused the BJP-led Odisha government of being a 'complete failure' and calling its stance on the issues 'convenient and full of double standards.' Patra said the BJD demands a judicial inquiry into both incidents and 'strict action against the miscreants.' BJD MP Muzibulla Khan had similar concerns. He said the BJP raised the slogan of 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' to come to power, but it is 'failing to protect our daughters'. Subhasish Khuntia, another BJD MP, said crimes against women and students are continuing 'unabated' under the 'double engine government' in Odisha. 'There is no safety for women under the BJP rule,' he said.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Not viable': Bhubaneswar metro project hangs in balance as Odisha govt cancels tender
Uncertainty looms over the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Project after the Odisha government has cancelled the tender for the ambitious urban mobility project initiated by the erstwhile Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government. Odisha's Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mohapatra said the decision to cancel the tender was taken in view of delay in implementation and to avoid cost escalation. 'The metro project initiated by the previous government wouldn't have been viable. Our government has formed an inter-minister committee to take a fresh look into the project by studying different aspects, its viability and to submit a fresh proposal before the project,' said the urban development minister. Mohapatra said the state government would take up the project in consultation with the Centre unlike the BJD government that had decided to take it on its own. Former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik had laid the foundation stone of the project on January 1, 2024, months before the simultaneous polls. It was estimated to spend a whopping Rs 6,300 crore to develop the first phase of the project with a length of 26 km from Bhubaneswar Airport to Trisulia near Orissa high court in Cuttack with 20 stations and to extend it to Puri, Khurda and Cuttack subsequently. It was decided to develop the metro rail track and stations on elevated viaduct. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation was roped in by the Odisha government to implement the project that floated the tender and engaged different agencies to take up the project. Though ground work for the metro project was started, it hit hurdles after the BJP assumed power in Odisha on June 24. Taking a dig at the BJP government over cancellation of the metro project as he said the double-engine government has 'betrayed' the people of Odisha and the decision will push Bhubaneswar 10 years back. 'It has always been our dream to develop #Bhubaneswar into a world-class city. We have been focusing on world class sports infrastructure, organising marquee international events, providing seamless modern transport and developing the IT ecosystem to transform the temple city into a world class city,' wrote Patnaik on X. Patnaik, in his post, wrote that the Bhubaneswar metro project would have reshaped the way city moves with #MoBus and other last mile connectivity complementing the city transport. 'Apart from alleviating congestion inside the city significantly, it would have been a huge catalyst for the expansion of the city. Realising the urgent need of a Metro System for enhanced mobility, we had set a watertight timeline of 2027 for Phase 1 of the project,' he noted.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Indian Express
BJD corporator accused of sexually assaulting teen since 2023, arrested on rape charges in Odisha
The Odisha Police on Sunday arrested Biju Janata Dal (BJD) corporator Amaresh Jena in connection with an alleged rape case lodged against him recently. Jena, a key face of the BJD in Bhubaneswar, was apprehended from Nilagiri in Balasore district following raids after remaining absconding for days, police said. On Saturday, the police also arrested five of his associates for allegedly harbouring the accused person. On July 23, Jena was booked under sections 64 (2) (rape), 89 (causing miscarriage without the woman's consent), 296 (obscene act) and 352 (criminal intimidation) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The complainant, a 19-year-old, accused Jena of sexual misconduct since September 2023 after promising to marry her and divorcing his wife. She was a minor at that time. She also alleged that she had gotten pregnant and that Jena coerced her into an abortion two months later in February 2024 and threatened her harm if she goes for any legal action. Meanwhile, the BJD suspended Jena from the party.
India Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Odisha cancels Bhubaneswar metro project, Naveen Patnaik calls it shocking
Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik came down heavily on the BJP government in the state after the latter scrapped the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail project launched during his tenure, saying the double-engine government has betrayed the people with a move which will take the state 10 years Biju Janata Dal (BJD) chief, dropped a scathing post on social media criticising the Mohan Charan Manjhi government for calling off a contract with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).advertisement"Shocked to know that Bhubaneswar Metro Rail contracts have been cancelled by BJP-led #Odisha Govt. It has always been our dream to develop #Bhubaneswar into a world-class city. We have been focusing on world-class sports infrastructure, organising marquee international events, providing seamless modern transport and developing an IT ecosystem to transform the temple city into a world-class city," Patnaik posted on X (formerly Twitter). Patnaik claimed that the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Project would have reshaped the way the city moves with MoBus, public transport bus service in the Odisha capital, and other last-mile connectivity complementing the city transport. He said that not only would the metro services have alleviated the congestion inside the city, but would have also proved a catalyst for the expansion of the that his government had set a watertight deadline for the completion of Phase 1 of the project in 2027, realising the urgent need for a metro system for enhanced mobility, Patnaik said, "The double-engine government has betrayed the people of Odisha by cancelling an important project like Metro Rail. The shocking decision by the double-engine will push the city 10 years back".Earlier, Odisha Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra said that the Manjhi government is planning a "feasible" metro project for said that while the previous BJP government did not seek the Centre's help in building the metro project, the incumbent government wants it to be a joint venture with the Central government."We will have the Metro train project differently from the past government's plan, which was not feasible. A new DRP will be prepared and sent to the Centre for approval," he to Mahapatra, the Patnaik government planned a fully state-funded project at a cost of Rs 5,000 crore, which would have connected Biju Patnaik International Airport with Trisulia Square.- EndsWith agency inputsMust Watch
Hans India
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
BJD holds silent protest, seeks justice for student
Bhubaneswar: TheOpposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Friday staged a silent protest at Janata Maidan under the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Bhubaneswar, demanding justice for the girl student of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, who died after self-immolation over alleged sexual harassment by one of faculty members and college authorities' apathy. Hundreds of BJD workers, leaders and women activists gathered in silent protest, with black cloths tied around their mouths, holding placards and raising slogans seeking accountability and action against those responsible for the tragic incident at FM College. The party reiterated its demand for a judicial probe into the tragic death of the victim girl student of FM College and the resignation of the State Higher Education Minister for failing to help the victim. The party accused the BJP-led Union government and its representatives in the State of politicising the issue and diverting attention from the core injustice faced by the the gathering, BJD leaders said, 'We are here under the statue of Mahatma Gandhi to protest peacefully. Gandhiji taught us the power of non-violent resistance.' The protesters alleged that the BJP and its MPs have attempted to distort the narrative, misguiding the public while ignoring the emotional and social trauma that led the young girl to take the extreme step. 'This is not just about one college or one girl; it's about the systemic failure. Justice delayed is justice denied,' they added. The BJD also strongly condemned the police action during earlier protests, claiming that rubber bullets, water cannons and tear gas shells were used against peaceful protesters. 'If our daughters had been in that crowd, what would have happened to them? Such brutality is unacceptable,' a leader said. The party demanded strict action against those responsible for the girl's death and the officials involved in the alleged police excesses. 'We will continue our democratic fight until justice is served,' the leaders said.
