Congress Launches ‘Nari Nyay’ To Counter Odisha Govt’s ‘Shaktishree’ Initiative
Marking the formal launch of the campaign, OPCC President Bhakta Das and Odisha Mahila Congress president Minakshi Bahinipati inaugurated a 24x7 Women’s Grievance Redressal Cell at the Congress Bhawan in Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar: In a strategic move to counter the Odisha government's recently launched ‘Shaktishree’ scheme, the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) on Thursday announced launch of ‘Nari Nyay,’ a women-centric initiative aimed at addressing rising cases of violence against women and ensuring justice for victims of abuse.
Marking the formal launch of the campaign, OPCC President Bhakta Das and Odisha Mahila Congress president Minakshi Bahinipati inaugurated a 24x7 Women’s Grievance Redressal Cell at the Congress Bhawan in Bhubaneswar. The cell will serve as a direct support mechanism for victims of domestic violence, harassment, assault, and other gender-based crimes.
Victims can now lodge complaints easily through a dedicated email—womencellodishpcc@gmail.com—or by scanning a QR code that leads directly to the complaint portal.
“To all those whose voices have gone unheard, Congress promises to be their voice. The Women’s Grievance Redressal Cell is a step towards ensuring no woman feels helpless in her own home or society,” said Bhakta Das. “We will not only listen to the victims but also follow up with police and administration to ensure swift action.”
Mahila Congress chief Minakshi Bahinipati emphasised that Nari Nyay is a grassroots initiative focused on empowering women through legal aid, counseling, and direct intervention. “It is not just a political plank but a moral responsibility,” she said. The launch of Nari Nyay comes shortly after the Odisha government introduced Shaktishree.
Shaktishree is a forward-thinking approach of the Odisha’s BJP government to nurturing both the physical and mental well-being of students, particularly girls, across state's higher education landscape. By embedding the initiative into 730 government and government-aided colleges, along with 16 universities, the CM has signalled a shift toward a more student-centric, responsive administrative culture. The introduction of the Shaktishree mobile application — equipped with an anonymous complaint feature, SOS button, and direct access to mental health support.
“We welcome any move towards women’s economic empowerment, ,“but without safety, empowerment is incomplete.” the OPPC president remarked, adding, ‘Nari Nyay’ will fill that gap.
The Congress initiative positions itself as a citizen-driven redressal platform, aiming to create a parallel support system for women outside the official framework, while keeping political pressure on the ruling BJD-BJP alliance.