Bhubaneswar. In the wake of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the Odisha state government has launched a campaign to identify and deport illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators. However, Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana Das of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has stirred a massive controversy with her public remarks perceived as supportive of these infiltrators. Her comments have sparked widespread outrage, protests, and political condemnation across the state capital.
The Mayor’s statement, which suggested protection for certain groups of Bangladeshi nationals living in India, was met with immediate backlash from various sections of society. Youth groups, political parties, and civil society organizations have taken to the streets, demanding her resignation and accusing her of undermining national security.
It is noteworthy that Mayor Sulochana Das of the Biju Janata Dal had recently made a controversial remark in response to the decision to identify and deport Bangladeshi infiltrators. She said, “Those Bangladeshi infiltrators who have no documents will be sent back to Bangladesh as per the government’s decision. But those who have come from Bangladesh and have obtained ration cards, voter ID cards, and are living here as citizens cannot be deported in any manner.
They will not be removed from the country. We are all with them. They are living here like our brothers. It is our responsibility to ensure they live properly. Wherever they are, whether here or elsewhere, they should be taken care of properly. We do not oppose the decision taken by the state government, but those who have ration cards, voter ID cards, and are residing here as citizens should not face any kind of injustice. Just as we live here, they should be allowed to live the same way.”
Her comments, interpreted by many as sympathetic toward infiltrators, have ignited a storm of protests throughout Bhubaneswar.
Public Uproar and Protests
The immediate response to the Mayor’s remarks came in the form of street protests led by local youth and regional organizations. Demonstrators gathered in large numbers at strategic locations such as Rajmahal Square, waving black flags and burning effigies of Mayor Das in a symbolic expression of dissent.
ରାଜ୍ୟର ବିକାଶର ବାଧକ ସାଜିଥିବା ବାଂଲାଦେଶୀ ଅନୁପ୍ରବେଶ କାରୀଙ୍କ ସମର୍ଥନରେ ବାହାରିଥିବା ବିଜୁ ଜନତା ଦଳର ନେତ୍ରୀ ତଥା ଭୁବନେଶ୍ୱର ମେୟର ସୁଲୋଚନା ଦାସଙ୍କ ମନ୍ତବ୍ୟକୁ ନିନ୍ଦା କରିବା ସହ ରାଜ୍ୟର ଅଭ୍ୟନ୍ତରୀଣ ଶାନ୍ତି ଶୃଙ୍ଖଳା ବଜାୟ ରଖିବା ନିମନ୍ତେ ବାଙ୍ଗଲାଦେଶୀଙ୍କୁ ବିତାଡିତ କରିବାର ସରକାରଙ୍କ ନିଷ୍ପତିକୁ ସ୍ୱାଗତ କରୁଛି.! pic.twitter.com/cd2nMmqB70
— Jagannath pradhan (@JPradhanBJP) May 22, 2025
One of the most prominent protests was organized by the Anchalika Suraksha Manch (Regional Security Forum), under the leadership of its President Jagannath Pradhan. Thousands gathered at Rajmahal Square, vehemently condemning the Mayor’s statements and demanding her resignation. “Illegal infiltration from neighboring Bangladesh poses a grave threat to both external and internal security,” said Pradhan. “At a time when the central and state governments are working on deportation measures, the Mayor’s comments supporting these elements are irresponsible and condemnable.”
He further added, “It is not only inappropriate but also anti-national for a person holding a constitutional position to defend those potentially involved in anti-India conspiracies. If the Mayor has any moral integrity, she must resign immediately and apologize unconditionally to the citizens of this country.”
When Mayor Sulochana Das arrived at the Ward 14 office in Niladri Vihar, Bhubaneswar, following her controversial comments about protecting Bangladeshi infiltrators, she was met with protests from local youth and residents waving black flags.
During her visit, Mayor Das was stopped midway by hundreds of local youth who vocally opposed her, chanting slogans against her leadership.
Angry locals questioned how Bangladeshi citizens were able to obtain voter ID cards and ration cards during the previous BJD government’s tenure, while many eligible local residents have yet to receive theirs. They expressed their discontent, stating, “We strongly oppose the Mayor’s ‘affection for Bangladeshis’.”
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has also strongly denounced Mayor Das’s remarks. Bhubaneswar (Ekamra) MLA Babu Singh criticized the statement, calling it “completely unacceptable.” He remarked, “Only Indian citizens have the right to reside in this country. What the Mayor is suggesting contradicts that basic principle.”
He also reminded Mayor Das of her role and responsibilities as the first citizen of the city. “The message she is sending through her statements is deeply concerning and sets a dangerous precedent,” Singh added.
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