The Odisha government, led by the BJP, has announced a significant change in the observance of Panchayati Raj Day, shifting it from March 5 to April 24. This decision delinks the event from the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik, which had been traditionally celebrated as Panchayati Raj Day for decades. The government also canceled the public holiday associated with March 5. The move has sparked political backlash from the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which criticized the decision as an attempt to erase Biju Patnaik’s legacy from the state’s Panchayati Raj system.
According to an official statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), the decision aims to align Odisha’s celebration of Panchayati Raj Day with the national observance on April 24. The CMO noted that Odisha had historically observed March 5 as Panchayati Raj Divas in honor of Biju Patnaik, but the state’s new approach seeks to eliminate inconsistencies between state and national-level celebrations. The move was approved by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who also declared that March 5 will now be exclusively recognized as Biju Patnaik’s birth anniversary.
For decades, Odisha had marked March 5 as Panchayati Raj Day, commemorating Biju Patnaik’s contributions to the state’s governance and rural development. However, at the national level, Panchayati Raj Day has always been observed on April 24, with awards such as the Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Award being presented to panchayat representatives from various states. The state government’s decision to shift the celebration aims to bring uniformity to the event, ensuring Odisha aligns with the national framework.
Additionally, the Odisha government has designated April 24 as Public Service Day, further reinforcing the significance of the date. The change was officially sanctioned by Chief Minister Majhi, who emphasized that March 5 would remain an important day for honoring Biju Patnaik’s contributions but would no longer be associated with Panchayati Raj Day.
The opposition BJD has strongly opposed the move, expressing disappointment over the government’s decision to separate Biju Patnaik’s legacy from Panchayati Raj Day. Senior BJD leader Debi Prasad Mishra criticized the BJP-led government, stating that the tradition of celebrating Biju Patnaik’s birthday as Panchayati Raj Day had been upheld by previous administrations, including those led by Congress. He accused the BJP of disregarding Biju Patnaik’s pivotal role in strengthening the Panchayati Raj system and advocating for women’s representation in local governance.
The controversy surrounding this decision underscores the deep political divisions in Odisha. As the state prepares to celebrate the 109th birth anniversary of Biju Patnaik on March 5, the debate over the significance of Panchayati Raj Day continues to be a focal point in Odisha’s political landscape.
