“Right to Protest Under Grave Threat in Odisha”: LoP Naveen Patnaik Slams Police Action
Leader of Opposition and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has strongly condemned the police crackdown on BJD’s peaceful protest at Lower PMG Square in Bhubaneswar, calling it a blatant attack on democratic rights. The protest was held to demand justice for the Fakir Mohan College student who died after self-immolation, allegedly due to inaction on a sexual harassment complaint.
Rubber Bullets, Water Cannons Used on Peaceful March: Patnaik
Taking to social media platform X, Patnaik said,
“The right to democratic protest is under grave threat in Odisha. The BJD was exercising its constitutional right to protest peacefully. Yet, the police used water cannons and rubber bullets without provocation.”
The right to democratic protest is under grave threat in #Odisha. Today, the @bjd_odisha exercised its constitutional right to hold a peaceful demonstration, protesting the tragic death of a 20-year-old girl student–a victim of systemic apathy and sheer betrayal.
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) July 16, 2025
As BJD…
He alleged that the march towards Lok Seva Bhawan was disciplined and non-violent, but was disrupted with force. Several senior leaders, including two former ministers and a lady Rajya Sabha MP, sustained serious injuries, some reportedly requiring surgical intervention.
Serious Allegations Against IPS Officer
In a serious charge, Patnaik claimed a senior IPS officer was caught on camera near the Chief Minister’s residence allegedly instructing forces to “break the legs of protesters” and offering incentives for doing so. “Today, the legs of two former ministers have been broken. Is this the promised reward?” he questioned.
Calling the entire incident a “systemic betrayal”, Patnaik reaffirmed that the BJD will not back down.
“No water cannon or rubber bullet can crush our resolve. We will fight relentlessly until justice is delivered for the young girl who lost her life,” he said.
Context: FM College Student’s Tragic Death
The protest stems from the tragic case of Somyashree Bisi, a 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, who died following self-immolation on campus. She had allegedly faced sexual harassment by a professor, and the administration failed to act despite complaints. The incident has triggered statewide outrage.
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