Orissa HC grants bail to 22 BJYM workers two months after they were held during protest rally

The scuffle had broken out at the Mahatma Gandhi Marg where the BJP youth wing activists were protesting against the “deteriorating law and order situation” in Odisha and demanding a CBI inquiry into the murder of slain minister Naba Kisore Das.

Over 20 police persons were also injured in the clash following which, the BJP youth wing workers were arrested under various serious charges like attempt to murder, committing harm to public servants, rioting and destruction of properties by fire.

Notably, the Odisha unit of the BJP has also lodged a complaint against the police which is yet to be registered.

Moments after the court granted bail to the BJYM workers, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan took to Twitter and wrote “Satyameva Jayate”. “The BJYM workers had to go to jail for their protest against the deteriorating law and order situation because of the conspiracy of the Odisha Police. It’s been more than 50 days since then,” tweeted Pradhan.

Stating that everyone has a right to protest in a democracy, Pradhan said the police have treated them as criminals and not as workers of a political party, which is not a good sign in a democracy.

Hailing the decision of the Orissa High Court, Pradhan said they respect the legal system of the country.

In a counter to Pradhan, BJD spokesperson Gautam Buddha Das called the BJYM president a habitual offender. “It’s unfortunate that some of the BJP leaders are supporting someone who is an accused under serious charges. By encouraging the jail-returned workers, the BJP leaders are trying to create anarchy in Odisha,” Das tweeted.

The BJD spokesperson also said people of Odisha have always rejected state BJP leaders for triggering violence and they will continue to reject them in the future as well.