BHUBANESWAR: The BJP has demanded strong action against state NSUI president Udit Pradhan who was arrested by police for alleged rape of a 19-year-old girl student at a city hotel here.
Addressing a media conference here, president of BJP Yuva Morcha Abhilash Panda strongly condemned the incident and demanded the resignation of Bhakta Charan Das as president of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) for appointing a person of such questionable character to the student body’s top post in the state.
Panda also questioned the silence of senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, president of All India Mahila Congress Alka Lamba and other leaders, who had adopted an aggressive stance over the FM College student self-immolation case, demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Higher Education minister Suraj Suryabanshi. “Why are they silent. Will they not tweet and address the media on the incident,” he asked.
Stating that the Congress has a long history of violence against women, Panda said from Anjana Mishra to Chhabirani murder and Naina Sahni case, party leaders have been involved in many such incidents. Pradhan is the latest example of the Congress’ approach to women, he stated.
Panda said, on the other hand, the BJP government in Odisha is taking strict action against the culprits. “After the FM College incident came to the notice of the government, action was taken before an investigation was carried out. The government has adopted a zero tolerance policy on the issue of women’s safety,” he said.
The BJD has also strongly condemned the incident and demanded strict action against Pradhan. Addressing mediapersons here, party spokesperson Ipsita Sahu said allegations against the Congress student wing president are very serious. She demanded that based on the complaint of the victim, the government should conduct an impartial investigation and punish the guilty.