File of picture leader BJP Jagannath Pradhan, who allegedly attack the bureaucrat in BhubaneSwar. Photo: x/@jpradhanbjp
The Association of Administrative Services Odisha (OASA), the largest authority of state -level civil servants, announced a protest with a public holiday and demanded the immediate arrest of BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan, who allegedly organized a violent attack on Senior Bureauucrat.
The protest comes as a result of a brutal attack on Ratnakar Sahoo, another Commissioner Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, which was pulled from his office and defeated by BJP staff. Oasa condemned the incident and issued the ultimatum and declared her demand for Mr. Pradhan’s arrest as “urgent and unlearified”.
“This nasty act is a significant reminder of the risk and vulnerability that our members face in a number of duties. It is not only an attack on individuals, but a direct attack on the dignity and sacredness of public service in the state,” said President Oasoti Jyoto Ranjan Misra.
“Dangerous Precedens”
The Association warned that if fast and strong steps were taken, such incidents could determine the “dangerous precedent” and further jeopardize the lives and dignity of officers working in difficult circumstances with limited protection. They also required increased security for all executive officers in the field level.
“All officers will stay on holiday until the requirements are met,” Oasa said. The delegation of the officers met with the main secretary Manoj Ahuja to express her indignation, and is expected to meet the main Minister Mohan Majhi to seek to assure the action against the accused.
The attack caused convictions. The former main Minister Naveen Patnaik without named Mr. Pradhan, urged Majhi to take steps against the BJP leader. Mr. Pradhan, who lost his elections to the 2024 assembly, met the leaders of the BJP in the party office on Wednesday. “Party Party Manmohan Samal convened me. I discussed it with him. Now I’m going home,” he said after the meeting.
While earlier speculation indicated that Mr. Pradhan could give up the police, his meeting supported the perception that BJP supported him.
Published – 3 July 2025 01:32 IS
