BJD opposes BJP’s decision to observe Panchayati Raj Diwas on April 24, announces state-wide protests on March 6

Amidst the controversy over the rescheduling of Panchayati Raj Divas celebrations by the Odisha government, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Tuesday announced plans to hold state-wide protests on March 6 against the decision.

During a press conference on Tuesday, senior party leader Sanjay Das Burma stated, “In honor of the legendary Biju Patnaik’s contributions to the Panchayati Raj system, Panchayati Raj Diwas has been observed on his birth anniversary, March 5, every year.”

Burma strongly criticized the BJP government's decision to shift the observance of Panchayati Raj Diwas to April 24 instead of March 5, calling it unacceptable.

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"Tomorrow, the auspicious birth anniversary of Biju Patnaik will be celebrated across the state as it is celebrated by the BJD. But, on March 6, we will hold state-wide protests against the government's anti-constitution attitude,” he added.

Burma also urged all the people of Odisha, including youths, students, and women, to participate in the protest by the BJD workers on March 6 against what he termed as deceit by the state government in connection with the birth anniversary of Biju Patnaik.

Biju Patnaik’s Role in Strengthening Panchayati Raj System

Highlighting Patnaik’s contributions towards the Panchayati Raj system, the senior BJD leader said that Biju Babu was not only the first to implement the three-tier Panchayati Raj system, but also the first leader in India who had said about ‘Gaon Ku Kama and Maa Ku Samman’ (availability of jobs in villages and respect to women). 

Burma also stated that the former Chief Minister of Odisha was the first in the country to take the revolutionary step to ensure 33 per cent reservation for women in the Panchayati Raj system. 

He said Biju Babu was of the view that Odisha or India couldn’t develop until the women were not empowered and they were not engaged in policy making at the village level. 

Burma also added that the birth anniversary of Biju Patnaik on March 5 has been celebrated as the Panchayati Raj Divas for the last three decades since 1991. The senior BJD leader also asserted that Biju Babu will always be remembered by the people of Odisha as the architect of the three-tier Panchayati Raj system. 

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He further claimed that one year after Patnaik implemented the Panchayati Raj system in Odisha, the central government made the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments in 1992 which constitutionalised the Panchayati Raj system in the country. 

He said that the Union government has been celebrating Panchayati Raj Day on April 24 since 2010 while the Odisha government has been celebrating Panchayati Raj Divas since the last three decades.