Policy & Politics

Harassment Slur On Odisha Minister: BJP Seeks Clarification From Govt On Viral Video

Bhubaneswar: Continuing its tirade against the BJD government, the BJP on Tuesday sought clarification on the harassment allegation against a minister from southern Odisha.

Citing a viral video, general secretary of the saffron party in the state Golak Mohapatra alleged that a woman had attempted suicide when police refused to register a complaint against the minister. “The woman had gone to a police station, but her FIR was not accepted. Later, the matter was mutually settled following a call from ‘third floor’ is what we have been told. The government must clarify who that minister is,” he said. 

Mohapatra also referred to the case pertaining to a BJD MLA, accused of cheating a woman, in which a fresh FIR was registered under relevant sections including 376 (punishment for rape), 313 (causing miscarriage without women’s consent), 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code only after the Orissa High Court intervened.

This came a day after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan mentioned about a video of a minister’s wrongdoings doing the rounds on the internet and the suicide attempt by the harassed woman, during a press briefing.

The Congress too has demanded an explanation from the government on the issue. “The BJD and its chief Naveen Patnaik have failed to control their ministers and MLAs. The recent social media posts and the viral video has brought bad name to the state and the Assembly as well. The government should come clean on it as soon as possible,” said Congress spokesperson Nishikant Mishra.

The BJD, however, refused to comment on the issue.“I am not aware of the contents of the viral video. All I say is that we should not attack anybody’s character without any proof,” said, BJD MLA Sudhir Samal.

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas In Bhubaneswar: India-Made Hydrogen Train Engine Most Powerful, Says Railway Minister

Bhubaneswar: The hydrogen fuel-run train engine developed by Indian Railways has the maximum horsepower output…

2 hours ago

Neena Gupta Slams Late Pritish Nandy, Says ‘No RIP’ For Him; Know Why

Mumbai: Celebrated poet, writer, journalist and filmmaker Pritish Nandy passed away on Wednesday at the…

2 hours ago

ISL: Odisha FC Overturn Two-Goal Deficit To Salvage Draw With Chennaiyin

Chennai: Odisha FC staged a remarkable recovery to salvage a draw in their away ISL clash…

2 hours ago

Sonakshi Sinha’s Miffed Brothers Skip Joint Birthday Celebration Of Brother-In-Law Zaheer Iqbal & Dad Shatrughan

Mumbai: After skipping sister Sonakshi Sinha’s inter-faith marriage to her longtime beau Zaheer Iqbal last…

3 hours ago

Bhubaneswar Pradhan To Retire From King Kansa Role From Next Dhanu Yatra In Odisha’s Bargarh

Bargarh: Bhubaneswar Pradhan, who has been playing the role of King Kansa in Dhanu Yatra…

3 hours ago

Supreme Court Refuses To Reconsider Order Rejecting Legality To Same-Sex Marriage

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain review petitions challenging its earlier…

3 hours ago