Bhubaneswar, July 13 (UNI) – On Monday, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) requested the Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR) to issue show-cause notices to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, BJP state president Manmohan Samal, and former MLA Pravat Ranjan Biswal. This request stems from allegations regarding the participation of minor children in a political rally that took place in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.
A delegation from the principal opposition party submitted a memorandum to the OSCPCR Chairperson, claiming that children were involved in a BJP rally associated with a joining ceremony in the state capital on July 12.
During this event, former BJD MLA Pravat Ranjan Biswal officially joined the BJP. The BJD highlighted that numerous minor children were spotted at the rally, donning BJP caps and holding party banners and flags.
Expressing strong disapproval of the alleged participation of minors, the BJD emphasized that this situation poses serious concerns regarding children’s rights, welfare, and protection.
The party argued that children should not be engaged in political activities or rallies that could subject them to political influence or public mobilization.
The BJD called on the OSCPCR Chairperson to acknowledge the issue, conduct a thorough investigation, and take appropriate legal actions. They also requested guidelines to prevent the involvement of children in political rallies, demonstrations, or election campaigns in the future.
In their appeal, the BJD expressed confidence in the Commission’s ability to promptly address the alleged incidents and take necessary measures to protect children’s rights and interests.
Furthermore, the BJD demanded an inquiry into the alleged presence of minors at the July 12 political rally in Bhubaneswar.
This memorandum from the BJD follows recent actions taken by the OSCPCR, which had issued show-cause notices to BJD President Naveen Patnaik, former BJD MLAs Deepali Das and Alka Mohanty, and Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD) President Ipsita Sahoo over the alleged involvement of children in a ‘Save Education’ protest organized by the party in Jharsuguda. This protest reportedly saw school students, including young girls in uniform, participating.
The Commission’s show-cause notices were prompted by a complaint received on July 10, 2026, supported by photographic and video evidence. The OSCPCR requested explanations from the BJD leaders regarding the legal implications of allowing schoolchildren to take part in the political rally.
With the BJD now alleging similar conduct by the ruling BJP, this situation has sparked renewed political controversy and heightened discussions surrounding the involvement of children in political events in Odisha.
