Girl sarpanch’s arrest, viral video: Behind Odisha’s newest political storm | India Information
4 min learnBhubaneswarUp to date: Jun 16, 2026 05:33 AM IST
The arrest and alleged manhandling of a younger lady sarpanch in Odisha’s Kendrapara district has triggered a political storm, with the Opposition BJD and Congress accusing the BJP authorities of suppressing grassroots voices.
The controversy stems from an incident on the Mahakalapada block workplace on June 11, when Chameli Ojha, the 33-year-old sarpanch of Tikhari gram panchayat, allegedly obtained right into a heated argument with the block growth officer (BDO) over the stoppage of funds for growth works in her panchayat. The confrontation escalated, resulting in her arrest aturday and allegations of torture in a police car. Ojha’s youngest brother was additionally arrested in reference to the incident.
Ojha was initially admitted to a hospital and arrested after being discharged. Although she was despatched to jail, authorities shifted her again to hospital after her situation deteriorated.
Movies of Ojha being lifted by girls constables in a hospital have gone viral, triggering widespread outrage. Her mother and father alleged that she was “brutally assaulted” by police personnel and others, and that medical doctors initially discharged her beneath strain from police officers.
In a petition addressed to the chief minister on June 12, Ojha described herself as a Bharatiya Janata Social gathering employee since 2017 and alleged that native social gathering MLA Durga Prasan Nayak and the BDO had stopped growth funds for her panchayat.
Ojha additionally accused some shut associates of the MLA of misbehaving along with her and threatening to ‘rape’ her contained in the BDO’s workplace. Alleging a menace to her life, she has sought an appointment with the Chief Minister.
The Mahakalapada MLA didn’t reply to calls looking for touch upon the allegations.
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Police sources mentioned no less than two circumstances have been registered towards the sarpanch at Mahakalapada police station based mostly on complaints filed by the BDO and a police officer.
In response to the BDO’s criticism, Ojha allegedly used “loud, aggressive and extremely inappropriate language which disrupted workplace decorum”. The BDO additionally accused her of recording his video on her cell phone with out permission, calling it a “critical breach of official protocol”.
Police additional accused Ojha of misbehaving with personnel and bodily resisting their actions. They alleged that she bit a girl sub-inspector and attacked different safety personnel, inflicting accidents.
Police mentioned no less than 11 circumstances have been registered towards Ojha since 2016.
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In the meantime, appearing on a criticism lodged by Ojha, police arrested one particular person on Monday.
The problem has sparked outrage over the alleged manhandling of a grassroots public consultant by police personnel.
Chief of Opposition Naveen Patnaik referred to as the motion towards Ojha “repressive techniques” unleashed by the BJP authorities and took a dig on the social gathering’s ‘Nari Shakti Bandan’ marketing campaign.
“The unspeakable atrocity dedicated brazenly towards Ojha inside a authorities workplace isn’t befitting a democratic nation. The BJP authorities’s despicable efforts in any respect ranges to silence the voice of a girl sarpanch are obviously evident,” wrote Patnaik.
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Referring to the current manhandling of an assistant BDO by two BJP candidates who misplaced elections in Cuttack district, Patnaik requested what motion had been taken towards them. “Is the legislation totally different beneath BJP rule?” he added.
Odisha Congress president Bhakta Charan Das additionally condemned Ojha’s arrest and backed her demand for growth funds for her panchayat. He mentioned the Congress firmly stands with Ojha.
Responding to the outrage, Regulation Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan informed reporters that the federal government has sought a report from the authorities. He mentioned additional motion could be taken based mostly on its findings.
