Former CM Naveen Patnaik expresses deep anguish over sexual assault on women in Odisha

Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday (September 16, 2025) expressed deep anguish over a young girl being subjected to gang rape near temple in Puri District, just 50km away from Bhubaneswar.

“It is heart-rending to witness such horrifying patterns of violence against women reported across Odisha. While the BJP leaders engage in theatrical display of concern, the predators prowl on broad daylight with impunity,” wrote Mr. Patnaik in a hard-hitting post on social media platform ‘X’.

The five-time CM mentioned, “the victims and family members of Gopalpur, Balasore, Balanga and many other victims who died in desperation are still waiting for justice. Every time we heard same rehearsed statements: ‘people’s government’ is ‘taking strict action”, ‘ensuring women’s safety’ and ‘sparing no one’.”

“The BJP administration of Odisha has failed miserably to create confidence in the system where our daughters feel safe, valued and heard—leave aside empowerment. If such a crime happens near a very popular tourist place, often thronged by tourists from across the world, it will tarnish the image of Odisha within the country and internationally,” he said.

Mr. Patnaik said the sooner the BJP government takes strong action, the women of Odisha will feel safe again.

Also read: 10 arrested in gang rape of 20-year-old woman near Gopalpur beach

Earlier, a 19-year-old college student in Puri was allegedly gang-raped near a sea beach on Saturday (September 13, 2025). A similar gang rape had occurred on Gopalpur sea beach in Ganjam district in June this year, which triggered a nationwide outrage.

While two accused have been arrested, Puri district police were searching for other miscreants. The hooligans had tied the male friend and raped the girl in front of him. Two more persons had also assaulted her.

The girl reported the incident in police station on Monday (September 15, 2025).