Mahila Congress protests against rising atrocities on women amid BJP's claims of safety improvements

Bhubaneswar: Mahila Congress members hit the streets here on Wednesday, voicing their concerns over alleged rise in atrocities against women. BJP, however, dismissed the allegations reiterating the govt’s priority to ensure women’s safety.Mahila Congress members, who gathered at Lower PMG, attempted to march towards the assembly to highlight their concerns about the alleged unsafe conditions for women in the state.“Since the BJP govt took office in June 2024, there has been no letup in crimes against women. The govt has failed to uphold law and order,” said Meenakshi Bahinipati, president of the state Congress women’s wing.Law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan countered the claims, stating that crimes, including those against women, have significantly gone down since the BJP govt took over. “During assembly discussion on an adjournment motion on Wednesday, I presented data showing a decline in crimes against women since we formed the govt,” Harichandan said.Harichandan’s statement in the assembly revealed that the number of rape cases remained consistent from July 2024 to June 2025 compared to the period from July 2023 to June 2024, while there were significant reduction in other crimes. Sexual assault cases decreased by 7.4%, incidents of public disrobing of women fell by 22.8%, and cases of voyeurism saw an 18.6% decline. Stalking incidents dropped by 9.2%, and women trafficking cases decreased by 29%.Dr Aiswarya Biswal, president of the state unit of BJP Mahila Morcha, emphasised the govt’s commitment to women’s safety. “The BJP govt has launched initiatives like the Shakti Shree Yojana, aimed at reducing violence against women in educational institutes. We take women’s safety seriously, ensuring that offenders are arrested within 24 hours,” Biswal said.She further said that chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi has personally addressed several serious cases, meeting with victims and their families to ensure justice is served. “What puzzles us is the Congress Mahila Morcha’s silence during the 24 years of the BJD govt. Now that they have found their voice under the BJP’s tenure, we hope they will act as a sensible and constructive opposition,” Biswal said.