The Kendrapara district unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded stringent action against BJD MLA Shashi Bhushan Behera and his son after the lawmaker's daughter-in-law brought serious allegations of dowry torture against them.
The members of the BJP burnt Behera's effigy at Tinimuhani Square in Kendrapara district as a mark of protest. Led by senior BJP leader Sunakar Behera, members of the saffron party took out a rally demanding a thorough probe into the incident.
A huge effigy of Bhushan was burnt as angry BJP workers slammed the BJD MLA for allegedly demanding dowry from his daughter-in-law Ronali. The protesters also demanded that he should immediately resign as a member of the Odisha Legislative Assembly.
“BJD MLA Shashi Bhushan Behera’s daughter-in-law Ronali has brought serious allegations against him and his son Satya Prakash Behera. The Behera family has been inflicting dowry, mental and physical torture on the girl. Shockingly, Satya Prakash is also having an illicit relationship with another married woman. Kendrapara residents had voted for Behera with the trust that he would do good for the district, but we are suffering now as he has done nothing and is involved in such heinous crimes. This is a shame for us, so we demand that he immediately quits as an MLA,” said Sunakar Behera.
Notably, Ronali has lodged a formal complaint against Behera and his family members at Banki police station alleging dowry, and physical and mental torture. She has also accused her husband of having an illicit relationship with another married woman.