Subasini Takes Part in Adjournment Motion Debate in Assembly: Stresses Women’s Safety Must Not Fall Victim to Politics
Bhubaneswar, 25/9 (Krushna Kumar Mohanty): During Wednesday’s Assembly session, BJD legislator from Basta, Subasini Jena, participated in the adjournment motion debate on atrocities against women and women’s safety. Speaking on the issue, she urged that women’s safety must not become a casualty of blame-game politics.
Jena said that in the midst of political mudslinging, it is ordinary women who continue to suffer harassment and violence. “It is time we reflect deeply on this matter. I urge the Chief Minister to convene an all-party meeting with the participation of senior police officers and women social activists to work out concrete measures ensuring women’s safety in the state,” she said.
She further suggested that a delegation from Odisha visit states like Telangana and Kerala, which have achieved significant success in this area, to learn from their initiatives and implement them for the benefit of women in Odisha.
Highlighting women’s participation in leadership, Jena recalled that the country has seen women in top positions such as former President Pratibha Patil and current President Droupadi Murmu, while Odisha has had leaders like former Chief Minister Nandini Satpathy, present Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, former Speaker Pramila Mallik, and current Speaker Surama Padhi. Yet, despite these milestones, she regretted that women in society continue to face exploitation.
Quoting official figures, she said although the Union Government has allocated Rs 1000 crore for women’s safety, Odisha has spent less than 25% of its share, compared to the national average of 76%. The Chief Minister himself has admitted that more than 37,000 crimes against women have been reported in Odisha over the past 14 months. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, Odisha tops the country in cybercrime against women, and also records the highest instances of women being trafficked outside the state.
Jena referred to several incidents that shocked Odisha, including the Fakir Mohan College case in July 2025, the Balangir minor’s death in August, the murder of a young girl on August 22, the gang rape of a 21-year-old in Bhograi, Balasore, and rape cases in Puri and Balangir. She expressed dismay that justice remains elusive in many of these cases.
As the legislator representing Basta, she noted that even in her constituency, women often fail to get justice when they approach police stations at Basta and Baliapal. Quoting from Fakir Mohan Senapati’s Chha Mana Atha Guntha, she said women must not always be seen as victims of oppression but as embodiments of compassion and values.
Concluding her speech, Jena appealed to the government to ensure a fearless festive season for women this year. She warned that if corrective steps are not taken urgently, growing anger and frustration may compel women to take to the streets in protest.
