Former Odisha Chief Minister and BJD leader Naveen Patnaik has lambasted the BJP-led state government for a “systemic failure of governance” following a series of violent crimes against women, including the shocking case of a 15-year-old girl set on fire in Puri’s Balanga area. The girl, attacked in broad daylight at Bayabar village, suffered 70% burn injuries and is battling for life at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.

In a scathing X post, Patnaik condemned the attack, linking it to recent atrocities like the self-immolation of a 20-year-old Fakir Mohan College student in Balasore on July 12, who died two days later after alleging sexual harassment and institutional inaction, and a gang rape at Gopalpur beach in June. “These are not stray cases. Such incidents occurring with shocking regularity point to a deep systemic failure,” he wrote, accusing the government of emboldening criminals through inaction and political patronage.

Patnaik questioned whether the government would “wake up from its deep slumber” to arrest perpetrators and prevent further violence, warning that Odisha is becoming “highly unsafe for women.” The Puri incident, occurring just 500 meters from the victim’s home, has fueled public outrage, with Deputy CM Pravati Parida promising to cover medical costs and arrest the culprits.

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Official data reveals a grim picture: Odisha reported 3,054 rape cases in 2024, up from 2,826 in 2023, with a conviction rate of just 5.59%, the lowest nationally. As protests mount, Patnaik’s call for accountability resonates, spotlighting a governance crisis threatening Odisha’s women.

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