Bhubaneswar: A fierce political confrontation has erupted between the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Odisha over the prolonged judicial custody of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) co-convenors Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das.
The row began after former Odisha Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik called for an immediate judicial review and release of the two activists. Taking to social media, he argued that hoisting the national flag, even in a designated restricted area, does not justify such extended detention.
“The judicial custody of Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das must be urgently reviewed and they must be released immediately. Hoisting the National Flag, even in a prohibited area, should not warrant such prolonged detention,” Patnaik posted. He further urged the judiciary and the executive to “rise to the occasion to ensure that the youth of this country do not lose faith in the rule of law and constitutional rights.”
BJP Retaliates
The ruling BJP Odisha unit launched a sharp counterattack, accusing the former Chief Minister engaging in “regime change acts” despite having been out of power for barely 24 months after a 24-year stint as Chief Minister.
The saffron party also accused him of settling thousands of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants into the state and granting them voting rights. “Your support for anarchists and foreign-funded anti-India forces wanting a Bangladeshi-style violent regime change is not surprising given who your own history of settling thousands of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants into the state. You not only allowed them to become voters, and now you are also opposing the SIR process,” the post said.
Emphasising national interest, BJP added that “the sovereignty of our nation is far more important than temporary political PR” and alleged that the BJD leadership was being steered by outside influences. “The people of Odisha have always been peace-loving and have respected the sovereignty of India. The sovereignty of our nation is far more important than temporary political PR. Stop being operated by the Pandus of the world.”
BJD Defends Democratic Dissent
Defending the party leadership, BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty hit back at the BJP’s allegations, framing the issue as a matter of civil liberties and free expression.
“Democracy is not a crime, dissent is not disloyalty, and questioning those in power is not anarchy,” Mohanty stated, adding: “When voices are silenced, history remembers those who stood up and those who chose to remain silent.”
Democracy is not a crime, dissent is not disloyalty, and questioning those in power is not anarchy. When voices are silenced, history remembers those who stood up and those who chose to remain silent.
#Odisha #Democracy #Justice
— Dr Lenin Mohanty (@DrLeninMohanty1) October 21, 2026
Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday agreed to hear a plea filed by CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. The petition challenges an order from the Special Executive Magistrate Court that extended their judicial custody by an additional two days. Following an urgent mentioning, the court allowed the plea, and the matter has been listed before Justice Subramonium Prasad.