"Naveen Patnaik, BJD Leader Addresses BJP MLA Over Sexist Comment": Naveen Patnaik, the leader of BJD, has written a letter to BJP, requesting them to pay attention to a sexist remark made by one of their MLAs.
In a significant development, BJP leader Jagannath Prasad was arrested and sent to jail on July 3, 2025, following the assault on senior Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) officer Ratnakar Sahoo on June 30, 2025. The arrest comes after sustained pressure from the Odisha Administrative Service Association (OASA) and public outcry over the incident.
The assault took place during a grievance redressal meeting at the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation office, where a group attacked Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo. The OASA condemned the attack as a heinous act that undermines the dignity and sanctity of public service in Odisha.
In response to the assault, the OASA submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi with three key demands: immediate arrest of Jagannath Prasad, adequate security provisions for field-level executive officers, and public condemnation of the incident by the government to affirm commitment to protect government officers. The association also warned of potential agitation if these demands were not met promptly.
Meanwhile, officers continued to perform essential duties such as managing Rath Yatra and flood relief with a cautious approach. The incident has caused significant outrage among government officers and opposition parties, with broader concerns about law and order and administrative safety being raised in Odisha.
Ex-Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, strongly condemned the assault, urging exemplary action against those responsible and political leaders who orchestrated the attack. Patnaik also criticized senior BJP members for their "profound silence" on the matter.
The BJD boss, Ms Samantsinghar, joined the BJD from the BJP in April last year, and she expressed her concerns about the BJP's commitment to 'respect for women' after listening to certain remarks. The BJP MLA Santosh Khatua made derogatory remarks against Ms Samantsinghar, which were condemned as 'misogynistic' and 'derogatory'.
Jagannath Prasad surrendered before the police and was arrested on Friday morning. The BJP leader publicly condemned the attack, stating that despite no evidence of his involvement, the OAS has been demanding his arrest. The arrest of Jagannath Prasad represents a critical response to an incident that challenged the state's administrative integrity.
The BJP-BJD tension has been exacerbated by the Kathua-Samantsinghar row and the assault on Ratnakar Sahoo. The horrific video of the assault on Ratnakar Sahoo was shared on Twitter by Naveen Patnaik, causing widespread outrage. The incident is under investigation, and further updates are expected.
- The incident of violence against Ratnakar Sahoo, the Additional Commissioner of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, has sparked concern and debate across various sectors, leading to discussions on war-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice, and general-news.
- In the aftermath of the assault, the Odisha Administrative Service Association (OASA) presented a memorandum to the Chief Minister, demanding policy-and-legislation changes, including strict security provisions for field-level executive officers and adequate measures to ensure accountability and protect government personnel.
- Unfortunately, the region has also seen an increase in car-accidents, fires, and other mishaps, adding to the already heightened sense of chaos and uncertainty in Odisha.
- As the political landscape of Odisha continues to evolve with ongoing tensions between the BJP and BJD, questions are being raised about the commitment of political parties to maintain peace, uphold justice, and ensure the safety of their citizens.
