New Delhi, June 19 (UNI) Accusing the BJP-led government in Odisha of failing to curb the rising crimes against women, the Congress on Thursday strongly condemned the recent horrific gangrape incident in Gopalpur, stating that the state has been plunged into “darkness.”
“A kind of darkness has engulfed Odisha. Women were promised security, but today, they have been left vulnerable. This is not the Odisha we know,” Congress MLA Sofia Firdous said here during a press conference.
The Barabati-Cuttack MLA along with All India Mahila Congress president Alka Lamba and Odisha Mahila Congress president Meenakshi Bahinipati addressed the media here.
Highlighting the state’s cultural legacy of celebrating womanhood through festivals like ‘Raja Parba’ dedicated to fertility and the strength of women, Firdous alleged that three gangrape cases have been reported during the ongoing festival.
“In Gopalpur, on the day of Raja Parv, a girl visiting the beach with her friend was allegedly gangraped by 10 men. In such a scenario, every girl in Odisha is left asking: when will we get justice?” she said.
Meanwhile, Alka Lamba slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of making false promises to women voters during election campaigns.
“The Prime Minister seeks votes from half the population by promising safety and security. But the reality on the ground tells a different story,” she alleged.
Backing her claims with data, Lamba said, “On average, 15 rape cases are reported every day in Odisha. In just 10 months, over 4,500 women and girls have lodged complaints seeking justice and in 11 months, 28,000 women and daughters have fallen victim to various crimes”.
She further alleged, “In Bhadrak, a nurse has come forward detailing the sexual harassment and assault she faced. In Balasore, a minor girl was raped and murdered. Reports suggest that seven women are raped daily in Balasore district alone”.
Meanwhile, Meenakshi Bahinipati while alleging that crimes against women, including incidents of rape and murder, were on the rise under the BJP government in Odisha said that the recent gang rape of the tourist is shameful.
She said, “In response, members of the Odisha Mahila Congress staged a protest and gheraoed the Vidhan Sabha to raise their concerns. A formal letter was also submitted to the Chief Minister, highlighting the deteriorating safety of women in the state. Following the protest outside the Vidhan Sabha, several Congress leaders were suspended from the Assembly,” she said.
