Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi counters with a whitepaper on feminine offenses against females
In the heart of Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha, the opposition Congress staged a protest on March 1, demanding immediate government action to ensure women's safety. The demonstration was organised by the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) in response to an alleged "alarming rise" in crimes against women.
The protest was led by OPCC president Bhakta Charan Das, who launched a sharp critique of the BJP government, accusing it of failing to uphold law and order. The protest escalated as demonstrators tried to approach the residence of Chief Minister Majhi, prompting a police blockade.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced plans to publish a whitepaper on crimes against women over the past eight months. The whitepaper is intended to provide information about crimes against women in Odisha, including Bhubaneswar, and is expected to add another dimension to the ongoing debate on women's safety.
Contrary to the opposition's claims, official data and government statements suggest that the crime rate against women in Odisha has actually shown a marginal decline over the past year. There has been a 2.5% drop in reported cases between June 2024 and April 2025 compared to the previous year.
The current government, led by Chief Minister Majhi, has acknowledged public concerns but maintains that law and order in the state is largely under control due to effective police measures. The government has issued directives to police officials to intensify patrolling, especially near schools and colleges, implement a zero-tolerance policy on crimes against women, and improve monitoring by senior officers.
In light of high-profile crimes, the government launched the Shaktishree programme aimed at enhancing the safety of girl students in higher education institutions. Despite the data showing a slight decline, recent severe cases such as a gang rape in Gopalpur and a student's self-immolation after unaddressed harassment have triggered protests and calls for greater accountability.
Majhi asserted that crimes against women have significantly declined since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) assumed power in June 2024. He emphasized that perpetrators are being swiftly apprehended and brought to justice. The government is responding with tougher law enforcement, better conviction rates (which rose to 62% recently), and policy reforms supported by technological measures like video evidence to improve justice delivery.
Thus, while the opposition highlights an increase in violent incidents and criminal behavior against women, official statistics show a declining trend in overall crime rates. The government is emphasizing law enforcement improvements, victim rescue operations, and safety initiatives to address both perception and reality of women's safety in Bhubaneswar and Odisha.
Read also:
- Stem cells potentially enhancing joint wellness and flexibility during aging process?
- Obtaining Ozempic: Secure and Legal Methods to Purchase Ozempic Online in 2025
- Bone and Cartilage Disorders: Categorizations, Signs, Remedies, and Prognosis
- Home-Based Methods and Natural Remedies for Managing Atherosclerosis
