Tue Sep 16 23:37:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the provided text, followed by a news article based on it:
**Summary:**
Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik strongly criticized the current BJP administration in Odisha following a recent gang rape near a temple in the Puri district. He condemned the rising violence against women in the state, citing previous similar incidents, and accused the BJP of failing to ensure women’s safety. Patnaik warned that such crimes, especially near popular tourist destinations, would damage Odisha’s reputation. His statement comes in the wake of another recent gang rape near a beach, adding to public outrage.
**News Article:**
**Patnaik Slams Odisha Government Over Rising Sexual Violence, Warns of Tarnished Image**
**BHUBANESWAR, September 17, 2025** – Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has launched a scathing attack on the state’s BJP administration, citing a recent gang rape near a temple in Puri as evidence of a failure to protect women. The incident, which occurred just 50km from Bhubaneswar, has sparked renewed outrage across the state.
“It is heart-rending to witness such horrifying patterns of violence against women reported across Odisha,” Patnaik wrote in a post on social media platform ‘X’, directly addressing the issue. He accused BJP leaders of offering only “theatrical display of concern” while “predators prowl on broad daylight with impunity.”
Patnaik pointed to previous incidents, including gang rapes in Gopalpur, Balasore, and Balanga, accusing the government of offering only rehearsed statements instead of delivering justice. He asserted that the BJP administration has “failed miserably to create confidence in the system where our daughters feel safe, valued and heard – leave aside empowerment.”
The former Chief Minister also warned of the potential damage to Odisha’s image, particularly if such crimes occur near popular tourist destinations. “If such a crime happens near a very popular tourist place, often thronged by tourists from across the world, it will tarnish the image of Odisha within the country and internationally,” he stated.
The incident in Puri follows a similar gang rape near a sea beach on Saturday, September 13, 2025. Police have arrested two suspects and are searching for additional perpetrators. This recent crime echoes a gang rape that occurred on Gopalpur sea beach in June, triggering a nationwide outcry.
Patnaik urged the BJP government to take strong and immediate action to restore a sense of safety and security for the women of Odisha. The incidents raise serious questions about the government’s ability to address the escalating problem of sexual violence in the state.
First Piper 