Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Sujata Rout has expressed support for youth-led protests, stating that waving the national Tricolour is a democratic right and not a crime.
Speaking to reporters, Rout said the party has consistently supported Gen-Z and peaceful demonstrations. She stressed that non-violent protests are part of democratic rights and constitutional freedoms.
Her remarks come amid growing discussions around youth-led protests and demands for greater democratic participation.
Rout also congratulated Odisha’s college students following the recent student elections, claiming that the Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD), the student wing of the BJD, had won in 70 per cent of colleges across the state.
She alleged that the BJP-led state government used police, college administrations and bureaucratic machinery to put pressure on student leaders during the elections. She also accused the ruling party of using money and muscle power to influence the process.
Despite these alleged challenges, Rout said the BCJD’s performance reflected continued support for the BJD among young people.
She further claimed that the results demonstrated the popularity of BJD president Naveen Patnaik among Odisha’s youth. The allegations against the state government were made by Rout following the election results.