Attack on NACDO office in Bhubaneswar: Pictures of Ambedkar-Buddha trampled under feet, FIR registered
The incident has sparked deep resentment among Dalit, tribal, and other Bahujan communities. Social activists and organizations have termed the attack a serious crime under the SC/ST (POA) Act and demanded strict action.
Published on: 08 Sep 2025, 4:39 pm
Bhubaneswar: The attack on the office of the National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Organisations (NACDO) in Odisha’s capital Bhubaneswar on September 7 has sparked widespread outrage among the Bahujan community. According to NACDO national president Ashok Bharti, a group of 40-50 people belonging to the Bajrang Dal attacked and vandalized the office, used caste-specific abusive language and attempted to rape a Dalit woman activist, and trampled and desecrated pictures of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Lord Buddha, Birsa Munda and the Indian Constitution.
Complainant Tikina Parida, wife of Maheshwar Parida, resident of Mukteshwar Colony, Bhubaneswar, stated that on September 7 at 1:00 pm, Brupesh Nayak, Rajesh Prusty and Jeetu Mishra and others attacked the office of Naikdor.
The attackers vandalised the office, destroyed furniture and other items, used abusive language, and issued death threats. According to the complaint, when a Dalit woman worker protested, she was assaulted and an attempt was made to rape her. The attackers desecrated the pictures of Dr Ambedkar, Buddha, Birsa Munda and the Indian Constitution kept in the office, which is being considered a serious offence against the Dalit and tribal community.
The FIR lodged at the Lingaraj police station has been registered under the following sections:
Indian Penal Code (BNS), 2023 Section 332(c): Unlawful assembly, Section 296: Obscene acts and songs, Section 115(2): Voluntarily causing hurt, Section 126(2): Wrongful restraint. Section 74: Use of criminal force against women, Section 75: Sexual harassment, Section 305(a): Abetment of suicide, Section 324(4): Damage to property, Section 351(2): Criminal intimidation, Section 109: Aiding in offence, Section 3(5): Committing offence with common intention.
Besides, sections 3(1)(r): Intentional insult of a person belonging to SC/ST community, 3(1)(s): Insulting or threatening a person belonging to SC/ST community, 3(1)(u): Insulting symbols of SC/ST community, 3(2)(va): Other offences under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (Amendment 2015) have also been imposed.
NACDOR Chairman Ashok Bharti called the incident a planned attack against the Dalit and tribal community. He posted on X, “An FIR has been lodged by NACDOR State President Litu Das on the attack on NACDOR office, vandalism, casteist abuse of a female colleague, and attempted rape. Preparations are underway to take further action against this. We will not spare the goons.” He tagged several journalists and politicians, including the Prime Minister’s Office (@PMOIndia), and demanded immediate action in this matter.
The Lingaraj Police Station has started investigating the case. However, no arrest of any accused has been confirmed yet. The Naikdor has accused the Odisha Police and the state government of inaction, leading to further outrage in the community. It is worth noting that Odisha is currently ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Bajrang Dal’s links with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) have also increased the political sensitivity of the case.
The incident has sparked deep resentment among Dalit, Adivasi, and other Bahujan communities. Social activists and organizations have termed the attack as a serious crime under the SC/ST (POA) Act and have demanded strict action. Hashtags like #Nackdor! #Dalit_Suraksha #Hinsa_Roko and #JusticeForDalits are trending on social media, in which people are condemning the incident and demanding immediate justice from the government.
