Bhubaneswar, July 18: Amid the FM College student’s death outrage, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Bhakta Charan Das on Friday announced that a dedicated women’s grievance cell will soon be established at Congress Bhawan in Bhubaneswar along with the launch of a separate mobile app aimed at addressing women’s safety issues.
This announcement was made by Das during a press conference.
The women’s cell will help in investigation of the complaints reported through the platform. Victims will be able to file complaints through the proposed mobile app. Following the complaint, the PCC will offer assistance accordingly.
The decision was taken during a recent meeting of the Political Affairs Committee.
The grand old party has also decided to observe the eleventh day post death ritual of Somyashree Bisi, who attempted self-immolation over alleged sexual harassment and later succumbed to burn injuries at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, as ‘Shraddhanjali Divas’ across Odisha.
It will be observed in memory of Somyashree by the women's wings of INDIA alliance—a group of eight political parties including Congress, Left parties, RJD, and SP.
Das also appealed to all colleges and universities in the state to hold a two-minute silent prayer in Somyashree’s memory. Additionally, a request was made for all government and private institutions to observe a one-minute silence as a mark of respect.
Congress Legislative Party Leader Rama Chandra Kadam said that the FM College issue would be raised in the upcoming Assembly session. He criticized the state government for ignoring previous discussions on women’s safety and warned that protests will continue until justice is delivered.
Odisha Congress in-charge Ajay Kumar Lallu stated that the INDIA bloc will meet in Delhi tomorrow, where the Balasore case will be discussed.
He added that Rahul Gandhi will raise the issue in Parliament. Congress has demanded a judicial probe monitored by a sitting Supreme Court judge and the immediate appointment of a new Chairperson of State Women’s Commission.
