Malkangiri, May 28: A Women’s Rights Campaign was organized today at Kalimela Haatpada by the Malkangiri Assembly constituency unit of the Malkangiri District Biju Mahila Janata Dal (BMJD).
As per the directions of the State Biju Mahila Janata Dal, the program was held under the leadership of District BMJD President and Zilla Parishad Chairperson Samari Tangul. The event was supervised by Kalimela block women leader Barnali Kirtania, Padia block women leader and Block Chairperson Debe Padiami, Malkangiri block women leader and Block Chairperson Gauri Padiami, Municipal women leader Pushpanjali Maharana, and Municipal Vice-Chairperson as well as State BMJD Secretary Kavita Mohanty.
The chief guest at the protest meeting was Malkangiri District BJD President and former MLA Manas Madkami, who strongly criticized the BJP government. Senior BJD leader and State Secretary Durga Tripathy, attending as guest of honor, stated in his speech that the BJP government has failed to provide 33% reservation for women and has been unable to control atrocities against women.
On behalf of the Malkangiri District Biju Mahila Janata Dal, a memorandum was submitted to the Hon’ble President of India through the Kalimela Block Development Officer (BDO), demanding immediate implementation of the Women’s Reservation Act passed unanimously in Parliament and strict measures to stop increasing violence against women.
The speakers stated that although there has been loud campaigning across the country regarding women’s reservation and empowerment, women’s political, constitutional, and social rights still remain uncertain. They said that former Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik was a pioneer in empowering women by introducing 33% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj institutions and government jobs. Following his ideals, former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik increased women’s reservation to 50% in Panchayati Raj and urban local bodies.
The leaders also highlighted that in the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJD had given 33% tickets to women candidates. They said that the BJD strongly supported the Women’s Reservation Bill, 2023, in Parliament but accused the Central Government of delaying its implementation under various pretexts and linking it with the delimitation process.
The organization demanded immediate implementation of 33% reservation for women in both the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies without linking it to delimitation.
During the protest, the leaders alleged that Odisha has become a hub of violence and crimes against women, citing NCRB reports claiming Odisha ranks first in crimes related to sexual violence against women. They referred to several recent incidents of rape, murder, and harassment of women across the state and accused the government of administrative failure and negligence.
The memorandum also mentioned that over the last two years, around 48,000 cases of violence and sexual harassment against women have reportedly been registered in police stations across Odisha. The speakers demanded strong and exemplary action to stop the increasing incidents of crimes against women.
Among those present at the protest meeting were Zilla Parishad member Mamata Padiami, Zilla Parishad member Apanda Mandal, Chitrakonda Block Chairperson Rajeshwari Khu, senior women leader Prashanti Lata Bisoi, BJD District Vice-President Prafulla Panda, Zilla Parishad Vice-Chairperson Patitapaban Baidya, District Student President Subrata Kumar Das, Zilla Parishad member Muka Madkami, senior leaders Biswanath Reddy, K. Rahul, Sarba Kumar Bisoi, Rudra Patra, Sarat Chandra Biswal, Mangala Pangi, Kantesh Potla, Korukonda Block Chairperson Jitu Burudi, leaders C.H. Rabit, Mesak Madri, Shiva Prasad Tripathy, Dillip Biswas, Sujay Mistry, Subrata Shil, Indrajit Madhu, youth leader Rakesh Mandal, and many others.
The meeting proceedings were conducted by Kalimela Block BJD President Shankar Haldar.
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