Naveen Patnaik in Favour of Protest

Bhubaneswar: The right to democratic protest is under grave threat in Odisha, alleged Leader of Opposition (LoP) Naveen Patnaik while reacting over police’s action against his party (BJD) leader and worker during protest at Lower PMG Square in Bhubaneswar today.

Taking to his X handle, the former Odisha CM said, “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.”

“As BJD leaders marched in a disciplined manner towards Lok Seva Bhawan, the police unhesitatingly used water cannons to disperse the peaceful crowd. Shockingly, they even fired rubber bullets without any provocation. I strongly condemn the heavy-handed tactics employed by the police and the Government to sabotage the BJD’s peaceful march. The police acted in a blatantly partisan manner, rushing to fire rubber bullets when there was absolutely no justification for such excessive force,” he added.

Patnaik further said, “Just a few days ago, a senior IPS officer was caught on camera near the Chief Minister’s residence instructing his force to break the legs of protesters and promising awards to those who achieved this feat. Today, the legs of two ex-Ministers have been broken, probably needing surgery. Other senior leaders of BJD, a lady Rajya Sabha member, and several party workers have been brutally hit by the police. Clearly, the Government owes an explanation for this kind of a direction.”

“The BJD will continue its relentless fight undeterred, until justice is served for the FM College girl student who lost her life tragically. Neither water cannons nor rubber bullets can weaken our resolve. Let it be clear: no force can stifle our commitment to stand up for justice and uphold the democratic rights of the people of #Odisha,” the LoP clarified.

It is to be noted here that several BJD leaders and workers sustained injures after police used water cannon and teargas to waylay them while going to gherao the Lok Seva Bhawan from the Lower PMG Square demanding justice for the deceased Fakir Mohan Autonomous College student.