Bhubaneswar, March 4: Amid controversy over the Odisha government’s decision to reschedule the celebration of Panchayati Raj Divas, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has announced plans to hold statewide protests on March 6 in opposition to the ruling BJP’s decision.
At a press conference on Tuesday, senior BJD leader Sanjay Das Burma stated, “Panchayati Raj Divas has traditionally been observed on March 5 every year to honor the legendary contributions of Biju Patnaik towards the Panchayati Raj system, as it coincides with his birth anniversary.”
Burma strongly criticized the BJP government’s decision to shift the observance of Panchayati Raj Divas to April 24, instead of March 5. “Tomorrow, we will celebrate the birth anniversary of Biju Patnaik, as is customary with the BJD. However, on March 6, we will hold protests across the state against the government’s anti-constitutional stance,” he added.
The BJD leader also called upon the people of Odisha—youths, students, and women—to join the protest on March 6, condemning the state government’s actions concerning Biju Patnaik's birth anniversary.
Burma emphasized the immense contributions of Biju Patnaik to the Panchayati Raj system, pointing out that he was the first leader in India to implement the three-tier Panchayati Raj system. He also highlighted Patnaik’s focus on rural development, encapsulated in his slogan "Gaon Ku Kama and Maa Ku Samman," which advocated for jobs in villages and respect for women.
In addition, Burma recalled that Biju Patnaik was the first in India to take the groundbreaking step of ensuring 33 percent reservation for women in Panchayati Raj institutions. He further noted that Biju Babu believed that Odisha and India could not progress without empowering women and involving them in policymaking at the village level.
Burma also stated that the observance of March 5 as Panchayati Raj Divas has been a tradition for the last three decades, ever since it was first celebrated in 1991 to honor Biju Patnaik’s legacy. "Biju Babu will always be remembered as the architect of the three-tier Panchayati Raj system," he asserted.
Burma pointed out that the implementation of Panchayati Raj in Odisha by Biju Patnaik led to the central government passing the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments in 1992, which formally established the Panchayati Raj system across India.
While the Union government has been observing Panchayati Raj Day on April 24 since 2010, the Odisha government has been celebrating Panchayati Raj Divas on March 5 for the past three decades.
