TV
A recent travel advisory issued by the United States, cautioning its citizens against travel to parts of Odisha due to Maoist violence and sexual assault risks, has triggered sharp backlash from the Odisha government.
The advisory, issued this month, placed Odisha among 14 Indian states where Americans are urged to exercise “increased caution” or “reconsider travel,” sparking accusations of misinformation and political bias.
Odisha Govt Rejects Claims, Cites Swift Action in Gopalpur Case
Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan called the advisory a deliberate attempt to discredit India’s rise under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
“As India becomes the fourth-largest economy and stands poised to claim the third spot, such narratives seem aimed at undermining our global standing,” he said, questioning why the US, with its own record of violent crimes and shootings, would issue such a warning.
Responding to the mention of a gang-rape incident at Gopalpur beach, which the advisory used to reinforce its concerns, Harichandan said that action against the accused was immediate.
“The accused were arrested within 48 hours. We are setting up six fast-track courts to ensure trials in crimes against women are completed within a month,” he said.
Tourism and Safety Not Impacted, Say Officials
Tourism Minister Pravati Parida downplayed the impact of the advisory, pointing out that US travellers form only a small fraction of foreign visitors to Odisha.
“Most tourists come from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Odisha remains peaceful and attractive for global travellers,” she said, adding that the Ministry of External Affairs would take up the matter with US officials through proper diplomatic channels.
Krushna Chandra Patra, Minister of Science and Technology, questioned the selective nature of the advisory. “Is there no violence in the US? There have been riots, mass shootings, and even an attack on Trump. On what basis are we being judged?” Patra asked.
The Odisha government, meanwhile, reiterated its commitment to visitors’ safety and its plans to further modernise law enforcement and judicial processes in response to crimes against women.
