Odisha BJP Govt’s Past Year Has Been Terrifying for Daughters: Alka Lamba

Addressing reporters, Lamba said, “The incidents occurring in Odisha are deeply concerning. The BJP government has completed one year in power in the state, but this year has been extremely dangerous and terrifying for Odisha’s sisters, daughters, and women.” The BJP came to power in Odisha last year, ousting the Biju Janata Dal, led by Naveen Patnaik, which had been in power for two decades.

She further claimed, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself campaigned in Odisha’s elections, promising safety to half the population to secure votes. However, if you look at Odisha’s report card for the last 11 months, 15 rape cases are reported daily. In 10 months, 4,500 daughters across the state have sought justice, and in 11 months, 28,000 women and girls have been victims of atrocities.” The Congress leader questioned, “Where are the criminals getting such audacity from?”

She added, “I had asked in the Assembly how many cases of crimes against women have been registered since the new government came to power. The response was shocking—18,001 cases have been registered in Odisha since the new BJP government was formed, and only 217 of them have been resolved.”

Sofia claimed that whenever an incident occurs, the only response is that an investigation is underway, but no investigation report has been made public in the last 12 months. She warned, “If the government does not take concrete steps, these crime figures could rise further.”