Nabarangpur has found itself at the centre of debate once again, this time over a confrontation between former MP and senior BJD leader Pradeep Majhi and district officials. A case has been registered against Majhi after the District Welfare Officer (DWO) accused him of issuing threats during a review meeting. But as the incident gains attention, many are questioning whether the outrage should be directed at Majhi, or at the disturbing negligence that triggered his anger.
The confrontation stems from a shocking incident at a government school in K Semla under Kosagumuda block, where a pressure cooker explosion left a 12-year-old student, Dhaneswar Behera, with severe burn injuries. Instead of immediately providing medical support or informing authorities, the school staff allegedly attempted to hide the episode. For hours, the child reportedly received no proper treatment, and the matter came to light only after it spread locally. The silence of those responsible has sparked widespread criticism and renewed concerns about student safety in remote tribal pockets.
Against this backdrop, Majhi’s heated exchange with district officials is being seen by many as a reaction born out of frustration with a system that often fails its most vulnerable. According to the DWO’s complaint, Majhi used harsh words and issued a threat in anger, leading to charges under BNS sections 126(2), 221, and 351(3). A video of the incident has gone viral, capturing the tense moment. But it has also sparked a parallel conversation: was Majhi’s anger misplaced, or did he simply voice the outrage that many others felt?
Supporters argue that the former MP has long been known for speaking sharply but consistently on issues concerning tribal welfare and the rights of children in government-run institutions. They believe his reaction was a reflection of genuine concern over the administration’s inaction, especially in a case where a child suffered serious burns and officials appeared indifferent. For them, the real problem lies in the system’s failure, not in the outburst of a leader demanding accountability.
As the investigation proceeds, the incident has brought two uncomfortable questions to the forefront, why was a school allowed to suppress such a serious injury, and why did authorities remain silent until confronted? While the legal case against Majhi will run its course, the episode has reignited a deeper issue: the urgent need for transparency, responsibility, and stronger safeguards for children in residential schools.
In the days ahead, public sentiment is likely to remain divided. But one fact is clear: the conversation that Pradeep Majhi forced into the open has compelled the administration to confront a matter that should never have been hidden in the first place.