A spate of brutal crimes against women and a growing challenge to the rule of law by emboldened criminals have cast a long shadow over the Mohan Majhi government’s celebrations marking its first year in office in Odisha.

Both the Congress and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) have intensified their attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, alleging a breakdown of law and order in Odisha.

Even as preparations peaked for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit on June 20, a gang rape incident on June 15 sparked massive outrage in the State. A college student visiting Gopalpur beach in Ganjam district was allegedly gang-raped, filmed, and threatened by her attackers.

Condemning the incident, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused the Majhi government of failing to ensure the safety of women. Although Berhampur police arrested 10 suspects, public anger did not subside.

The All India Congress Committee (AICC) constituted a fact-finding team led by senior party leader Deepa Dasmunsi to assess the situation on the ground.

Soon after, reports emerged of the alleged gang rape and murder of a 17-year-old tribal girl under Pandapada police station in Keonjhar district. In another incident, a woman from New Delhi was molested in Jajpur district.

As the government machinery focused on milestone celebrations, reports of heinous crimes dampened the mood and raised serious questions about governance.

The disturbing pattern continued when a woman in Mayurbhanj district was allegedly abducted by three motorcycle-borne assailants and gang-raped near Karanjia on Wednesday. In a separate case, a Berhampur health centre operator — reportedly linked to the BJP — was arrested for raping a minor. Photographs of the accused with senior BJP leaders, including the Chief Minister, further embarrassed the ruling party.

The student and youth wings of the BJD staged protests across educational institutions on Wednesday, denouncing the rising cases of atrocities against women, particularly the Gopalpur case.

Citing information published by the Home Department and presented in the State Assembly, the BJD said, “Over 3,054 rape cases were reported in the last year alone, marking a steep rise in serious crimes like rape, abduction, and murder. This points to a severely deteriorating security environment for women and children in Odisha.”

‘Poor law and order’

The party also criticised the weakening of support mechanisms. “Under the Naveen Patnaik government, more than 600 police stations had functional women and child desks. Those are now barely operational, leaving victims helpless. The government’s inefficiency has emboldened criminals,” it said.

In yet another shocking incident this week, two Dalit men in Ganjam district — accused of cattle smuggling — were tonsured, forced to eat grass, and made to drink dirty water. The victims claimed they were only transporting three cows to sell in order to arrange items for a family wedding.

“Since the so-called ‘double-engine’ government came to power, law and order in Odisha has collapsed,” said Congress Legislature Party leader Rama Chandra Kadam, who led a fact-finding team to Ganjam. “Criminals act with impunity, and the Home Department is a mute spectator. Attacks on Dalits, tribals, and minorities are increasing by the day,” he said, addressing a press conference on Thursday.