Bhubaneswar, April 30: Odisha Congress, led by Bhakta Charan Das, launched a statewide agitation accusing the BJP-led government of being “anti-women.” The protests demand the immediate implementation of the women’s reservation law.
At a rally in Bhubaneswar, Das announced torch processions on May 3 and 4, followed by block-level rallies on May 7 and 8. He urged the government to stop misleading women and called for a special session to pass the 33% reservation bill. Failure to do so, he warned, would escalate Congress protests.
Kusum Kumar, AICC co-in-charge, criticized the BJP for spreading misinformation. Congress leaders like Srikant Jena and Sura Routray questioned the delay in implementing the law ahead of the 2024 elections and called for its immediate enforcement without any connection to the delimitation process. They also demanded sub-quotas for OBC, tribal, and Dalit women.
The rally, chaired by Minakshi Bahinipati, saw massive participation from women workers. Following the event, Congress workers tried to gherao the state Assembly despite police resistance.
