Odisha government today denied media reports that girl students were detained in a room during Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's visit to 'Maa Rama Devi University' campus on December 3 even as the girls sought intervention of the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC).
"No female student was confined in a closed place. The media reports on confinement of girls were not based on facts," Parliamentary Affairs Minister B K Arukha said in a statement in the Assembly as per the ruling of Speaker Niranjan Pujari.
Pujari had earlier directed the state government to issue a statement on the allegations of girl students having been detained after opposition Congress members disrupted proceeding of the House and demanded unconditional apology from the Chief Minister.
The Assembly was adjourned at least four times during the day due to the din by the opposition MLAs who described the incident as illegal and violative of the human rights and constitutional rights of the girl students.
As the impasse continued in the Assembly for the second consecutive day, Pujari convened an all party meeting where it was decided that the government will give a statement on the allegations about girls' detention.
However, the situation worsened when Priyadarshi Mishra, one of the BJD MLAs, in a media statement drew parallel between the college girls and the female human bomb that killed former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
The issue was raised in the Assembly by leader of opposition Narasingha Mishra of Congress who demanded apology from BJD MLA.
Accordingly, Mishra was called to the House and gave a statement on the issue where the BJD MLA from North Bhubaneswar, clarified that he was merely referring to the security arrangements generally made for VVIPs.
"I am sorry if my words have hurt anyone," Mishra said and his words helped in bringing normalcy in the House.
Meanwhile, at least nine students of Rama Devi Women's University approached the OHRC seeking action against the culprits over their alleged detention during the Chief Minister's visit.
"We wish to bring it to your notice that this is gross violation of human rights. Locking down the students and allowing non students is undemocratic and has taken place in the presence of the Chief Minister. We request you to intervene in the matter, get an inquiry conducted, give us justice and take action against the culprits," demanded the girl students in a memorandum submitted at the office of the OHRC.
The girls alleged that though they were students of the university, the police did not allow them to the campus. "We were not allowed intentionally even after producing our identity cards. However, many non-students went inside in front of us. Right before the programme began, we were called aside and locked down by Shaheed Nagar Police Station ACP and another lady officer," read the memorandum they submitted to the commission.
Meanwhile, the women wings of both the BJP and Congress threw their support behind the students. The BJP's women wing also moved the State Commission for Women.
"We are here to report the unfortunate incident of Rama Devi University to the State Commission for Women. We demand an inquiry and action against the culprits," said BJP leader Lekhasri Samantsinghar.
Odisha Pradesh Congress President (OPCC) President Prasad Harichandan also condemned the incident and demanded action against the culprits who locked the girls in room during the Chief Minister's visit.
"This is an unprecedented incident. We demand immediate action. The Chief Minister is directly involved. In a meeting attended by the Chief Minister, in his presence, the police detained the students illegally. This is wrongful confinement and is violation of human rights. The Chief Minister himself is the abettor of the incident. A case needs to be registered against him," said Harichandan.
