Latest news with #OdishaGovernment
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Stop using 'Harijan' word in official communications: Odisha Government
'The Odisha Government has asked all its Departments, public and educational institutes and others to stop using the term 'Harijan' in communications,' officials said on Wednesday (August 13, 2025.) The government suggested the authorities concerned that words like 'scheduled caste' in English and 'anusuchita jati' in Odia or other national languages should be used to "denote persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes as notified under Article 341 of the Constitution," according to a letter issued on August 12 by the Commissioner-cum-secretary of the ST and SC Development, Minorities and Backward Class Welfare Department. Odisha girl allegedly set afire dies; police claim 'no other person involved' in incident 'The letter was sent to all the Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and Commissioner-cum-secretaries,' the officials said. "They have been instructed to ensure that the word 'Harijan' does not appear in any official communications, records, transactions, caste certificates, publications, departmental names, or any other form of use," one of the officials said. 'The authorities concerned are also directed to educate their staff and update existing documents and records accordingly,' he said. 'They are also told to submit a compliance report on the action taken on the matter,' another official said. Schoolgirl 'gang-raped' in Odisha, relative among five detained The State Government's action came in the wake of the guidelines issued by the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC), prohibiting the use of the word 'Harijan'. 'These guidelines will be strictly enforced in all government offices,' the official said. In 1982, the Centre had asked all State Governments not to use the term 'Harijan' to refer to Dalits. 'Following fresh guidelines prepared by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, a similar Order was also issued in 2013 to all the States, directing them to ensure non-use of the 'Harijan' word not only in caste certificates but also in official communications,' the officials said. 'The Odisha Assembly has also prohibited the use of the word 'Harijan',' they said.
The Hindu
17-07-2025
- The Hindu
Ensure safe environment for women employees, girl students in all schools: Odisha Government to DEOs
In the wake of the nationwide outrage over the death of a student at a college in Balasore, the Odisha Government on Thursday (July 17, 2025) asked all District Education Officers (DEOs) to ensure a safe environment for women employees and students, particularly girls in schools. In a letter to all the DEOs, School and Mass Education Secretary Shalini Pandit asked them to implement relevant provisions under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. 'You are instructed to review the implementation of the above, along with timely constitution and re-constitution of the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) in all eligible establishments and further ensure that all provisions of the Act are followed in letter and spirit at all workplaces under your jurisdiction,' she said. The secretary also told the DEOs to create a safe environment in schools for students for their physical, mental and socio-emotional well-being. The officers were further instructed to implement Barnali, a gender equity programme, to promote positive gender attitudes and behaviours among students, teachers and parents and to eliminate gender-based violence in all elementary and secondary schools of the state in integration with the social studies curriculum. Besides, the DEOs were asked to display helpline numbers (women helpline-181, child helpline-1098, police helpline-1 12, school student helpline-18003456722) at prominent places in all workplaces, schools and residential hostels. Asking the officers to strictly follow the instructions, Ms. Pandit warned, 'Any deviation from this will be viewed seriously.' A second-year BEd student of a college in Balasore died at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar on Monday (July 14, 2025) night. She had set herself on fire on the college campus on Saturday (July 12, 2025) over inaction against a professor who allegedly sexually harassed her.
India Gazette
15-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
An Institutional Murder: NSUI demands justice for Balasore self-immolation victim
New Delhi [India], July 15 (ANI): The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) has demanded justice for Soumyashree, a 20-year-old student of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, Balasore, who self-immolated herself in protest over sexual harassment by her Head of the Department. According to an official press release, 'The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) is devastated, enraged, and deeply shaken by the tragic death of Soumyashree, a 20-year-old student of FM College, Balasore, who set herself ablaze after months of unbearable trauma and institutional silence.' The NSUI has alleged institutional silence and apathy from the college administration and the Odisha Government, and has called for immediate action against the accused and those who failed to protect Soumyashree. 'Soumyashree was a victim of sexual harassment at the hands of a faculty member. She cried out for help, pleaded for justice, but was met with indifference and apathy. The Odisha Government, the college administration, and a system controlled by BJP-backed appointees failed her at every step. From the Chief Minister's chair to the district administration, not a single authority acted to protect her.', the release stated. The NSUI has alleged that Soumyashree's pleas for help were met with indifference and apathy by the authorities, including the college administration and the district administration, which are claimed to be controlled by BJP-backed appointees. 'Adding to the disgrace is the silence of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) the very student organization Soumyashree was a part of. ABVP failed its own member. Not only did they ignore her cries for justice, but they are now shamelessly attempting to spread false narratives and deflect blame. Their silence when she needed them most, and their lies now, are acts of betrayal. 'Let it be stated unequivocally No NSUI office bearer is involved in this case. These baseless accusations are not just false they are an insult to Soumyashree's memory and a vile attempt to shield the real perpetrators,' the release read. According to the release, NSUI alleged, 'This is not just a tragedy. This is institutional murder. NSUI stands firmly with Soumyashree and her family. We demand immediate arrest and prosecution of the accused faculty member, an independent judicial probe into the role of college authorities and administrative cover-up, suspension of officials and staff who ignored Soumyashree's repeated complaints and accountability from the Odisha Government and BJP-backed machinery that allowed this injustice. NSUI will fight for justice for Soumyashree.' Meanwhile, the Odisha State Congress President Bhakta Charan Das has called for a statewide 'bandh' on July 17 in protest against the death of the student. Das demanded the resignation of the State Education Minister, local MLA and MP over the death of the Balasore student. 'Our demand is that the Education Minister, the MLA, and the MP--all three--should resign, and their party should expel all three... On the 17th, we have called for an Odisha bandh, and we appeal to all sections to support it,' Das told ANI. The Odisha Congress Chief noted that the victim, even after complaining at multiple forums, did not get justice. 'The student knocked on every door for justice and even got an FIR registered... but she did not get justice... She even went to the MLA. The MLA could have ensured justice for her, but he did not do so... The MP also did not take this matter seriously... Was it not their responsibility to take this matter seriously? ... If even a little action had been taken, the situation would not have come to the point where that student had to take her own life... The government did not even realise that this is their responsibility,' he added. The 20-year-old student set herself on fire after allegedly facing prolonged sexual harassment by her college's Head of Department. Despite lodging a formal complaint and seeking help from the principal, her pleas were ignored, leading to the tragic incident. The incident occurred at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College. (ANI)
Canada Standard
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Canada Standard
"Despicable act, against spirit of festival": MEA condemns Toronto's Rath Yatra disruption, urges Canada to take action
New Delhi [India], July 14 (ANI): India on Monday strongly condemned the disruption caused during the Rath Yatra procession in Toronto, calling the act despicable and urging the Canadian authorities to take action against those responsible. In response to media queries on the incident, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, 'We have seen reports regarding disruption created by mischievous elements during the Rath Yatra procession in Toronto.' 'Such despicable acts are regrettable and are against the spirit of the festival, which seeks to promote unity, inclusivity, and social harmony,' he added. Jaiswal further noted, 'We have strongly taken up the matter with Canadian authorities to hold the perpetrators of the act accountable.' 'We hope the Canadian Government will take necessary action to protect the religious rights of people,' the spokesperson said. Echoing the concerns raised by the MEA, former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday expressed deep concern over reports of eggs being hurled at devotees during the Ratha Jatra celebrations in Toronto, Canada, calling the incident deeply disturbing and hurtful to the sentiments of devotees of Lord Jagannatha worldwide. 'Deeply disturbed to know about the reports of eggs being hurled at devotees during Ratha Jatra celebrations in Toronto, Canada. Such incidents not only grievously hurt the sentiments of Lord Jagannatha's devotees worldwide, but also cause deep anguish to the people of Odisha, for whom this festival holds profound emotional and cultural significance,' Patnaik said in a post on X. Urging prompt action, he called on the Odisha Government and the Ministry of External Affairs to take up the matter with Canadian authorities. 'If these media reports are accurate, the Odisha Government should take the matter seriously and urge the Ministry of External Affairs to register a strong protest with the Canadian authorities,' he added. The remarks came in response to posts by Toronto-based Instagram user Sangna Bajaj, who alleged that eggs were thrown at devotees from a nearby building during the celebrations. 'People from a building throw eggs at us,' she wrote in one post. In another, she stated, 'Someone from a nearby building threw eggs at us. Have you ever experienced discrimination for your faith?' In a troubling recurrence of targeted attacks on Hindu places of worship across Canada, the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton fell victim once more to vandalism. The recent attack adds to a string of similar incidents documented in recent years, underscoring a distressing trend of religious intolerance. Last year, a Hindu temple in Windsor suffered defacement with anti-India graffiti, sparking widespread condemnation and calls for action from both Canadian and Indian officials. Earlier incidents in Mississauga and Brampton saw temples similarly targeted, drawing strong reactions from the Indian community in Canada. Canadian law enforcement agencies have been urged to take proactive measures to address these threats and ensure the safety and security of all religious communities in Canada. The incidents have prompted renewed discussions on bolstering security measures around Hindu temples and enhancing efforts to combat extremist propaganda. Meanwhile, several global reports have highlighted the growing concerns over Khalistani sympathisers operating within Canada, with incidents often linked to calls for an independent Khalistan state in India's Punjab region. (ANI)
Canada News.Net
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Canada News.Net
"Despicable act, against spirit of festival": MEA condemns Toronto's Rath Yatra disruption, urges Canada to take action
New Delhi [India], July 14 (ANI): India on Monday strongly condemned the disruption caused during the Rath Yatra procession in Toronto, calling the act despicable and urging the Canadian authorities to take action against those responsible. In response to media queries on the incident, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, 'We have seen reports regarding disruption created by mischievous elements during the Rath Yatra procession in Toronto.' 'Such despicable acts are regrettable and are against the spirit of the festival, which seeks to promote unity, inclusivity, and social harmony,' he added. Jaiswal further noted, 'We have strongly taken up the matter with Canadian authorities to hold the perpetrators of the act accountable.' 'We hope the Canadian Government will take necessary action to protect the religious rights of people,' the spokesperson said. Echoing the concerns raised by the MEA, former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday expressed deep concern over reports of eggs being hurled at devotees during the Ratha Jatra celebrations in Toronto, Canada, calling the incident deeply disturbing and hurtful to the sentiments of devotees of Lord Jagannatha worldwide. 'Deeply disturbed to know about the reports of eggs being hurled at devotees during Ratha Jatra celebrations in Toronto, Canada. Such incidents not only grievously hurt the sentiments of Lord Jagannatha's devotees worldwide, but also cause deep anguish to the people of Odisha, for whom this festival holds profound emotional and cultural significance,' Patnaik said in a post on X. Urging prompt action, he called on the Odisha Government and the Ministry of External Affairs to take up the matter with Canadian authorities. 'If these media reports are accurate, the Odisha Government should take the matter seriously and urge the Ministry of External Affairs to register a strong protest with the Canadian authorities,' he added. The remarks came in response to posts by Toronto-based Instagram user Sangna Bajaj, who alleged that eggs were thrown at devotees from a nearby building during the celebrations. 'People from a building throw eggs at us,' she wrote in one post. In another, she stated, 'Someone from a nearby building threw eggs at us. Have you ever experienced discrimination for your faith?' In a troubling recurrence of targeted attacks on Hindu places of worship across Canada, the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton fell victim once more to vandalism. The recent attack adds to a string of similar incidents documented in recent years, underscoring a distressing trend of religious intolerance. Last year, a Hindu temple in Windsor suffered defacement with anti-India graffiti, sparking widespread condemnation and calls for action from both Canadian and Indian officials. Earlier incidents in Mississauga and Brampton saw temples similarly targeted, drawing strong reactions from the Indian community in Canada. Canadian law enforcement agencies have been urged to take proactive measures to address these threats and ensure the safety and security of all religious communities in Canada. The incidents have prompted renewed discussions on bolstering security measures around Hindu temples and enhancing efforts to combat extremist propaganda. Meanwhile, several global reports have highlighted the growing concerns over Khalistani sympathisers operating within Canada, with incidents often linked to calls for an independent Khalistan state in India's Punjab region. (ANI)
