Overview

• Hundreds of Biju Mahila Janata Dal members held ‘Swabhiman’ rallies across Odisha on July 10, burning an effigy of MLA Santosh Khatua to demand his arrest for derogatory remarks against Lekhasri Samantsinghar.
• A BMJD delegation met Odisha DGP Y B Khurania and submitted memoranda to the police and the State Women’s Commission insisting on Khatua’s immediate detention and protection for Samantsinghar’s family.
• Protesters pressed for Sections 74 and 351 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita to be added to Khatua’s FIRs for sexual harassment and evidence tampering in a related poaching and abuse case.
• Khatua, who faces multiple FIRs under the new code, defended his comments as a tit-for-tat response to being called a thief and dacoit, and the BJP has yet to take disciplinary action.
• BMJD leaders warned they will escalate their campaign to Delhi if Khatua is not expelled from the party and the Assembly, citing what they describe as a surge in crimes against women since the BJP assumed power in Odisha.