BHUBANESWAR: Amidst widespread outrage over the gang-rape of a 17-year-old girl near Dhauli hills, a popular tourist spot on the outskirts of the state capital, member of Odisha State Commission for Women (OSCW) Urmila Mohapatra on Tuesday urged parents not to send their daughters to such isolated places.
Mohapatra, who visited the spot on the day said the government has viewed the incident very seriously, and asserted that exemplary action will be taken against the culprits.
“No one is above law and the government is seized of the matter,” she said.
The OSCW member said if a girl comes to such an isolated place at 8 pm, anything can happen.
“We should be aware of such situations,” she said requesting parents, particularly the mothers, not to send their daughters to such places in the night.
“I will request mothers and parents not to send their daughters to such places because anything can happen. Women too should be careful about their safety,” she said, adding that there is a need to change the mindset of the anti-socials.
All stakeholders including the media have a role in bringing about such reforms, she added.
Mohapatra’s statement stoked a political controversy with Opposition BJD taking strong exception to it. Addressing a media conference, president of the Biju Mahila Janata Dal (BMJD) Snehangini Chhuria said Mohapatra’s statement is an admission that the government is not capable of ensuring safety and security of women in the state. She demanded that the government should quit if it cannot ensure the safety of women.
Meanwhile, a war of words between BJP and BJD ensued after leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik flagged the issue of growing crimes against women in the state. In a post on X, the former chief minister expressed shock and said the state capital has also become unsafe for women. Criminals have become emboldened with the government losing credibility, he said.
The BJD chief’s statement drew a strong response with deputy chief minister Pravati Parida asking the former to desist from politicising the sensitive issue. “The last thing people expected from a person of your stature was to politicise such a sad incident,” she said and added that the government has initiated swift and strong action and already arrested two persons involved in the crime.
The BJD hit back and said the deputy CM, also Tourism minister of the state, had assured security and safety of women in tourist spots after similar assaults at Gopalpur and Baliharichandi. After the Dhauli incident, she must take moral responsibility, BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty said.
