Odisha's 2025: A Year of Triumphs and Tragedies Amidst Industrial Growth

Overview of Odisha's Year

Bhubaneswar: As 2025 draws to a close, Odisha has experienced a mix of optimism and sorrow, marked by advancements in security and industry alongside tragic events, including the self-immolation of a college student and a stampede during the Puri Rath Yatra, as well as debates surrounding the salary increases for MLAs.

A significant highlight for the state was its strides towards eradicating Naxalism, with security forces successfully neutralizing six Maoist insurgents, including a central committee member, Ganesh Uike, who had a bounty of Rs 1.1 crore on his head.

Additionally, approximately 22 Maoists surrendered to authorities under a newly revised Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy, which provides financial incentives of up to Rs 1.20 crore based on rank.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi praised the industrial sector's achievements, including the approval of two semiconductor manufacturing units and projects totaling Rs 4.38 lakh crore.

Majhi emphasized the transition of the industrial landscape from mineral extraction to manufacturing, noting that the state signed two MoUs worth Rs 4,000 crore for semiconductor initiatives.

However, the opposition BJD criticized the BJP government for allegedly making misleading claims about industrial growth.

They asserted that several significant projects, such as the JSW Group's Rs 40,000-crore electric vehicle battery initiative and the Rs 1-lakh-crore ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel project, were relocated to Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, respectively.

Odisha also gained national attention due to a series of distressing incidents, including the tragic self-immolation of a college student in Balasore district, who sought justice in a sexual harassment case.

This incident, which was widely circulated on social media, was followed by another case where a minor girl from Delang in Puri district suffered severe burn injuries and later succumbed at AIIMS, Delhi.

Similar cases of violence against women were reported in Kendrapara and Baragarh districts.

The state faced numerous sexual assault cases, including the gang rape of college students at Gopalpur beach in Ganjam district and at Baliharchandi tourist site in Puri, as well as the rape and murder of a teenager in Keonjhar.

These crimes against women prompted strong criticism from opposition parties, with Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik claiming a total collapse of law and order.

Opposition parties reported that during the BJP's 18-month governance, 40,947 cases of crimes against women were documented.

In response, the Majhi administration asserted that prompt actions were being taken in these matters.

The year also saw instances of mob violence, including the murder of a migrant worker from West Bengal, who was killed by a mob that suspected him of being a foreigner due to his inability to present an Aadhaar card.

In another incident, a 35-year-old Dalit man was attacked by a mob in Kundeijuri village of Deogarh district, suspected of cow slaughter, resulting in injuries to his companion.

In Ganjam district, two Dalit men were assaulted after being falsely accused of cattle smuggling, drawing condemnation from civil rights organizations.

The government faced backlash over the management of the annual Rath Yatra in Puri, where a stampede resulted in three fatalities, prompting an apology from the chief minister to the devotees.

The deaths of two Nepalese students in Bhubaneswar raised diplomatic concerns and led to visits from officials from Nepal.

Natural disasters also impacted the state, with floods affecting northern districts, unseasonal rains damaging crops, and Cyclone ‘Montha’ narrowly avoiding the coast.

The government has called for a CBI investigation into a multi-crore recruitment scam involving sub-inspectors, resulting in the arrest of over 100 candidates.

On the political front, the year saw significant organizational changes within major parties.

BJP leader Manmohan Samal was reinstated as the state unit president, while Patnaik continued his tenure as BJD president for a ninth term. The Pradesh Congress Committee appointed Bhakta Charan Das as its new president.

The year also featured the Nuapada assembly by-election following the passing of BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia, with his son Jay Dholakia winning on a BJP ticket.

Naveen Patnaik's health remained a topic of discussion as he was hospitalized twice throughout the year.

The Majhi government faced scrutiny after the Assembly unanimously passed three Bills to triple the salaries and allowances of legislators, increasing the minimum package for MLAs to Rs 3.45 lakh per month from Rs 1.10 lakh, pending the Governor's approval.

In a historic moment for the state, President Droupadi Murmu addressed the Odisha Assembly in November.