Bhubaneswar, June 13 -- The Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Friday described the alleged harassment, assault and public humiliation of Chameli Ojha, Sarpanch of Tikhiri Panchayat in Kendrapara district, as an assault on grassroots democracy and a grave affront to the dignity of elected women representatives.
Demanding a high-level and impartial inquiry into the incident, the party alleged that the episode has not only raised serious concerns over women's safety in Odisha but has also undermined the spirit of the Panchayati Raj system by targeting a grassroots leader for allegedly questioning developmental works in her Panchayat.
Addressing a press conference at Sankha Bhawan in Bhubaneswar, BJD Rajya Sabha MP Smt. Sulata Deo and forme...