By Sunil Jena, Editor-in-Chief | The Politics Odia
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Assembly witnessed high drama during a debate on women’s safety, as both BJP and BJD legislators engaged in a fiery exchange. What was supposed to be a discussion on women’s insecurity turned into a political storm, with references to scandals, suspensions, and sharp personal attacks.
The controversy was fueled when BJD MLA Srimayee Mishra’s suspension and the alleged recording of her private video inside BJD’s party office, Shankha Bhavan, were raised. BJP MLA Babu Singh launched a scathing 17-minute-35-second attack on the BJD, linking the issue to the party’s 24 years in power and its treatment of women leaders. Singh’s remarks also directly targeted senior BJD strategist V.K. Pandian, comparing his role to authoritarian dominance.
BJD, however, attempted to shift the focus back to the BJP government’s performance. MLA Gautam Buddha Das accused the ruling BJP of failing women in its 15 months of governance, highlighting the rise in violence against women. He said, “Today, a young girl fears going to the beach with a male friend. Women’s atrocities in Odisha have become national and international headlines.”
Das also cited the case of police constable Shubhamitra, arguing that even a woman in uniform who was supposed to protect others could not protect herself. His remarks on the Commissionerate Police’s theatrics, “They acted like movie heroes with ‘fire not flower’ dialogues, but reality was more tragic than cinema” struck a nerve in the House.
But the BJP was quick to counterattack. MLAs Manas Dutta and Irassis Acharya delivered strong rebuttals, silencing the BJD benches. They reminded the House of multiple incidents of harassment and violence during BJD’s 24-year rule, questioning the credibility of the opposition to speak on women’s security now.
The exchanges painted a grim picture: BJD accused the BJP of failing in 15 months, while the BJP reminded the state of BJD’s two decades of unchecked power. Both sides used emotional examples, but the people of Odisha remain caught in the middle, demanding safety, accountability, and action beyond political blame games.
The “Srimayee-Sanyasi storm” in the Assembly not only exposed the deep fractures between the two parties but also raised uncomfortable questions about how Odisha’s women continue to be failed, regardless of which party holds power.
