Odisha: Naveen Patnaik Slams Govt Over 'Increasing' Crime, Says ‘Streets Have Become Unsafe For Women'

Former Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) chief Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday raised concern over the safety of women in the state, stating that a "disturbing" wave of crimes against women is "gripping" the state.

Patnaik said the recent surge in sexual assaults reflects a troubling erosion of law enforcement."Today's news about rape in Jajpur, gangrape in Jagatsinghpur and Malkangiri and sexual assault in Puri ... deeply saddens and horrifies all of us. A disturbing wave of crimes against women is gripping Odisha," the BJD chief wrote in a post on X.

He said that the state's streets have become "increasingly" unsafe for women in both cities and villages. "Both in cities and villages, the streets have become increasingly unsafe for women - in broad daylight and at night. A young student heading to school or college or returning from tutorial classes cannot be sure of her safety. Danger now lurks in everyday normal places. This surge in sexual assaults reflects a troubling erosion of law enforcement," Patnaik wrote.

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He alleged that the various ranks of the police face interference and political pressure, which led women and girls to pay the price first. "When the various ranks of the police face interference and political pressure, accountability weakens--and women and girls pay the price first," the BJD chief wrote.

"Adding to this concern, the US Government last month issued a Level 2 travel advisory that listed Odisha among six Indian states where American employees must seek special approval to travel beyond capital cities. While the state has seen a decline in Maoist activity and there is minimal terrorism, this inclusion likely reflects concerns over rising crimes against women," he added.

"The July 17 directive by Ravenshaw University in Cuttack--banning women from staying on campus beyond 5:30 PM--further exposed the crisis. Though it was withdrawn after public outrage, the order revealed a mindset that seeks to restrict women instead of making public spaces safer for them," he wrote further. He said that the problem will only grow without urgent and decisive police action and political will. He also demanded that the BJP-led government immediately restore safety and rebuild women's trust in the system.

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"It punished women instead of targeting the real problem. Without urgent and decisive police action and political will backing it, this problem will only grow. The political leadership must realise that allowing interference of local party leaders in police stations will only normalise violence across the state, especially gender-based violence. The state BJP government must act immediately to restore safety and rebuild women's trust in the system sworn to protect them," he wrote.