BJP Govt in Odisha Launches Shaktishree for College Girls Amid Opposition Pressure
With rising pressure from the Opposition over women’s safety, the BJP government has launched the Odisha Shaktishree scheme, aimed at improving security and support for college girls across the state. This initiative highlights the state’s commitment to creating safer educational environments for young women.
This development isn’t just another government scheme — it’s being seen as a direct response to growing criticism from political opponents, especially after recent harassment cases on and around college campuses made headlines.
Why the Odisha Shaktishree scheme was launched now
For the past few weeks, student unions and women’s groups have been highlighting increasing concerns about safety for female students. Cases of stalking, harassment outside campuses, and lack of action by authorities were being regularly reported — drawing sharp criticism.
Opposition parties like the BJD and Congress picked up the issue, accusing the ruling BJP of “failing young women.” That’s when the government took the initiative to roll out ‘Shaktishree’, possibly hoping to calm growing unrest before it snowballed further.
What Is ‘Shaktishree’?
According to officials in the Higher Education Department, the scheme is being launched in a pilot phase across 10 districts, mostly in urban colleges. It includes:
- A dedicated college-level safety committee
- Coordination between local police stations and college management
- Training programmes in self-defence for girl students
- Anonymous complaint facilities
- Regular inspections of hostels and campus areas
A senior bureaucrat said, “This is not just a cosmetic launch. We have asked college principals to directly submit monthly updates to the government.”
Public and political reactions to the Odisha Shaktishree scheme
While the announcement has grabbed attention, reactions from students have been mixed. Some welcome the move, but others remain skeptical.
“I hope this is not just a publicity stunt,” said Megha Raut, a third-year student at a government college in Cuttack. “We’ve seen committees being formed before, but they disappear after a few months. Let’s hope this one stays.”
Teachers too have expressed interest in being part of the programme. One senior faculty member said, “If the system genuinely listens to students and takes action, it can bring change. But only if implementation is strict.”
Opposition Still Not Impressed
Opposition parties weren’t exactly convinced. A BJD MLA told reporters that the move is “too little, too late.” He questioned why such a scheme wasn’t part of the BJP’s plan from day one if women’s safety was a priority.
However, BJP leaders defended the initiative, saying it was already under planning and has simply been “fast-tracked.”
What’s next for the Odisha Shaktishree scheme rollout
If the pilot programme shows results, the government plans to expand it statewide within the next academic session. Officials claim that feedback from students will directly influence how the scheme evolves.
With the Assembly in session and Opposition ready to strike on every missed promise, ‘Shaktishree’ is not just a girls’ safety project — it’s also turning into a political litmus test.
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