Members of the Mahila Congress staged a protest outside the Odisha Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, decrying what they described as escalating atrocities against women in the state. The demonstration, dubbed the "Vidhan Sabha Gherao," saw activists march from the Congress Bhawan to the assembly, carrying party flags, leaflets, and banners. Led by Mahila Congress state president Minakshi Bahinipati, the group aimed to pressure the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government to address the growing concerns over women's safety.

Police intervened when protesters attempted to breach barricades near the assembly, detaining several Mahila Congress members, according to an official statement. The activists remained undeterred, voicing allegations that the BJP government has failed to curb rising incidents of rape, murder, and other crimes against women. Minakshi Bahinipati highlighted a recent case in Bhubaneswar, where a woman police constable was murdered, stating, "If this is the situation in the capital city, one can only imagine the plight in other parts of Odisha." She accused the government of remaining a "mute spectator" amid the surge in gender-based violence.

Congress MLA Taraprasad Bahinipati echoed these sentiments, asserting that the BJP administration has not taken meaningful steps to ensure a safe environment for women. "The government has failed to provide security, and crimes against women are increasing unchecked," he said. The protest reflects broader concerns about Odisha's law-and-order situation, with recent data from the National Crime Records Bureau indicating a rise in crimes against women in the state, including a 10% increase in reported cases of violence from 2022 to 2024.

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AICC leader Tulika Karma vowed that the Congress would continue its campaign to hold the government accountable, emphasizing the party's commitment to women's safety. The demonstration underscores ongoing tensions between the opposition and the BJP-led government, which assumed power in Odisha in June 2024. As public outcry grows, the issue of women's security is likely to remain a flashpoint in the state's political discourse, with opposition parties intensifying their calls for action.

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