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Hindustan Times
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Odisha services hit as OAS officers continue strike seeking arrest of BJP leader
Nearly 1,500 officers of the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) and Odisha Revenue Service (ORS) across more than 20 districts continued their indefinite mass leave on Thursday in protest against the assault on Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation additional commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo. Visuals from the alleged assault on an Odisha administrative officer. (Video grab) The strike, which began on July 1, has disrupted essential public services, leaving citizens grappling with delays in critical administrative processes, from land records to public grievance redressal, as the state government scrambles to address the escalating crisis. The flashpoint of this agitation was the incident on June 30 when Sahoo was dragged from his office chamber and assaulted by a group of miscreants allegedly at the behest of BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan. The attackers reportedly asked Sahu to apologise to Pradhan during a public grievance hearing, an act that the Odisha Administrative Service Association (OASA) has condemned as an 'assault on the dignity of public service.' A video of the incident, widely circulated on social media, sparked outrage among bureaucrats and the public, amplifying calls for swift justice. So far, the Police Commissionerate has arrested BJP corporator Aparaup Narayan Rout, Sanjeev Mishra, Sachikanta Swain, Rashmi Mahapatra and Debasish Pradhan. BJP has also suspended them from the party. Though the OAS officers initially agreed to postpone their strike after their meeting with chief minister on Monday, have refused to join work while making three 'non-negotiable' demands: the immediate arrest of Jagannath Pradhan who they called 'prime accused and kingpin', robust security measures for field-level officers such as tehsildars, block development officers, and sub-collectors; and exemplary action to restore confidence in the administrative framework. The association has vowed to continue the strike until these demands are met, with officers in districts like Cuttack, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, Rayagada, Bolangir, Sonepur, Ganjam, and others joining the protest. The officers claim that Pradhan's actions have created an environment of fear and disrespect, making it difficult for them to discharge their duties effectively and impartially. The state government, caught off guard by the scale of the agitation, has appealed to the officers to resume work, citing the public interest. Revenue minister Suresh Pujari said this is not an appropriate time for officers to go on strike, especially with the ongoing Puri Ratha Yatra and prevailing flood-like conditions in parts of the state. He urged the officers to return to work and reiterated the state government is open to discussions. The state BJP leadership in Odisha seems to be backing Pradhan denying the allegations against him and calling the strike politically motivated. 'These are baseless accusations designed to divert attention from the government's failures,' a BJP spokesperson said. Pradhan met party's state unit president Manmohan Samal on Wednesday evening and said he has offered his full cooperation in whatever legal action is taken against him as per law. 'The state government will take a further call and if something is decided, we will inform,' he said.
India.com
29-06-2025
- General
- India.com
Puri Ratha Yatra 2025 পুরীতে রথ দেখার ভিড়ের চাপে মৃ*ত ৩ 24 Ghanta, Zee News
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News18
25-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
Chariot Warfare: Ahead Of 2026 Assembly Polls, Ratha Yatra Politics Gathers Pace In Bengal
Last Updated: The BJP claims that the construction of the Digha temple and scale of the Ratha Yatra are politically motivated to counter the perception that the TMC caters primarily to Muslims As West Bengal gears up for the 2026 assembly elections, the annual Ratha Yatra celebrations have taken on a distinctly political tone. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has travelled to Digha to inaugurate the Ratha Yatra festivities—the first time the coastal town is hosting the grand event. The CM has also made arrangements to send 'prasad" to all people of Bengal. This move has sparked political controversy, with the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party accusing her of using the festival to woo Hindu voters. BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar alleged that Mamata Banerjee is trying to compete with the iconic Puri Ratha Yatra. 'Hindus in Bengal will not be interested in halal prasad," he said. Leader of the opposition Suvendu Adhikari has announced a separate Ratha Yatra event, where he plans to distribute prasad sourced directly from Puri, underscoring what he calls the 'authenticity" of the festival. With elections approaching next year, the BJP claims that the construction of the temple in Digha and the scale of the Ratha Yatra are politically motivated, aimed at countering the perception that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) caters primarily to the Muslim community. BJP leaders have also criticised the TMC government's decision to distribute prasad to every household in Bengal, calling it a 'fake promise". They further allege that the sweets being distributed are halal-certified and that the funding for the initiative is being inappropriately sourced from HIDCO, an agency meant for infrastructure and urban development. The TMC, however, has dismissed the allegations. 'I want to thank Smt Mamata Banerjee for the Jagannath Mandir," said party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. 'The BJP claims to be the custodian of Hindus, but Sukanta and Suvendu are ridiculing Jagannath Prabhu." Mamata Banerjee herself has launched a campaign to promote the Ratha Yatra in Digha, signalling her intent to transform it into a major annual event. Nandighosha (Chariot of Lord Jagannath): 16 wheels, decorated in red and yellow. Taladhwaja (Chariot of Balaram): 14 wheels, adorned in red and blue. Darpadalana (Chariot of Subhadra): 12 wheels, draped in red and black. The charioteer of Lord Jagannath's rath is Daruka, and the pulling rope is known as Shankhachuda. Several key ministers, dignitaries, and celebrities are expected to be present at the Digha Ratha Yatra, highlighting the event's growing prominence. What was once a spiritual and cultural celebration is now emerging as a new battleground in Bengal's charged political landscape. First Published: June 25, 2025, 18:35 IST
