Naveen Patnaik, the former Chief Minister of Odisha and leader of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), was admitted to SUM Ultimate Medicare in Bhubaneswar on Sunday evening after experiencing dehydration. The hospital has reported that he is in stable condition and responding positively to treatment. Several officials, including Odisha Ministers Mukesh Mahaling and Prithviraj Harichandan, along with BJP leader Babu Singh, visited the hospital to check on his health.
Additionally, Bhubaneswar Mayor and BJD member Sulochana Das also paid a visit to the hospital. On August 12, Patnaik criticized the BJP-led government in Odisha following the tragic death of a 13-year-old girl in Bargarh district, who succumbed to burn injuries after allegedly setting herself on fire. He expressed concerns about the administration's failure to instill confidence in the system, stating that girls should feel safe, valued, and heard.
In a post on X, the former Chief Minister expressed his sorrow, stating, "I am deeply saddened, shocked, and anguished to learn of another girl's death from Gaesilat, Bargarh, after she set herself ablaze. My heartfelt condolences go out to her family during this difficult time. May they find the strength to cope with this immense loss."
Patnaik further lamented the alarming trend of young girls resorting to self-immolation, noting that four girls have tragically lost their lives in similar circumstances within a month. He emphasized that these incidents reflect a deeper issue, as many girls are subjected to daily crimes, leading them to see no other option but to end their lives.
