CM Majhi pays floral tribute to freedom fighter Ramadevi Chaudhury
Synopsis
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi paid floral tributes at the statue of freedom fighter Ramadevi Chaudhury near the Odisha Legislative Assembly on her Shradh Divas, 22 July 2026, honouring her legacy in the independence movement, women's empowerment, and social service.
Key Takeaways
CM Mohan Charan Majhi offered floral tributes at Ramadevi Chaudhury's statue near the Odisha Legislative Assembly on 22 July 2026 .
The occasion was Ramadevi Chaudhury's Shradh Divas (death anniversary).
Ramadevi Chaudhury was a prominent Odia freedom fighter who participated in the Salt Satyagraha of 1930 .
CM Majhi highlighted her contributions to the freedom struggle, women's empowerment, and social service .
The tribute aligns with the BJP government's broader emphasis on nationalist history and official recognition of independence-era figures.
Women's groups and Odia citizens regard Ramadevi Chaudhury as an enduring icon of resistance and women's rights.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday, 22 July 2026 offered floral tributes at the statue of freedom fighter Ramadevi Chaudhury near the Odisha Legislative Assembly on the occasion of her Shradh Divas (death anniversary), honouring her legacy of sacrifice and public service.
Posting on X in Odia, the Chief Minister wrote: 'ମା' ରମାଦେବୀଙ୍କ ଶ୍ରାଦ୍ଧ ଦିବସ ଅବସରରେ ଓଡ଼ିଶା ବିଧାନସଭା ନିକଟସ୍ଥ ତାଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତିମୂର୍ତ୍ତିରେ ମାଲ୍ୟାର୍ପଣ କରି ଗଭୀର ଶ୍ରଦ୍ଧାଞ୍ଜଳି ଅର୍ପଣ କଲି' — 'On the occasion of Ma Ramadevi's Shradh Divas, I offered deep floral tributes at her statue near the Odisha Legislative Assembly.' He added that her 'incomparable contributions to the freedom struggle, women's empowerment, and social service will always be remembered,' and that 'those great ideals of sacrifice and dedication will continuously inspire us towards public service.'
Context
Ramadevi Chaudhury (1899–1985) was one of Odisha's most prominent freedom fighters and social reformers. She participated in the Salt Satyagraha of 1930 as part of the wider Gandhian non-violent independence movement, leading protests in Odisha. Beyond the independence struggle, she devoted decades to women's education and upliftment, earning recognition as a towering figure in Odia public life. A statue in her honour stands near the Odisha Legislative Assembly in Bhubaneswar, serving as a site for official commemorations.
Policy Backdrop
Marking the death anniversaries of freedom fighters through floral tributes and official statements is a long-standing practice among Indian state governments. In Odisha, successive administrations have maintained this tradition of recognising local figures from the independence era. The BJP government under CM Majhi, which assumed office in 2024, has continued this pattern, aligning official commemoration with the party's broader emphasis on nationalist history and the ideals of pre-independence social reformers.
Stakeholders and Impact
The tribute carries symbolic significance for Odia citizens and women's groups across the state, for whom Ramadevi Chaudhury remains an enduring icon of resistance and women's rights. By personally attending the wreath-laying at the Legislative Assembly, CM Majhi underscored the state government's commitment to keeping her memory in public consciousness. Such gestures also reinforce the government's stated agenda of women's empowerment, connecting a historical figure's legacy to contemporary policy priorities.
What's Next
Observers will watch whether today's commemoration is followed by concrete announcements — such as women's empowerment programmes or educational initiatives — in the Odisha Legislative Assembly session that could translate the tribute into policy action. The state's calendar of freedom fighter anniversaries is expected to continue through the year, with similar official observances likely for other prominent Odia figures from the independence movement.
Point of View
Linking the BJP government's identity to Odisha's own independence heritage rather than a purely Delhi-centric nationalist narrative. By invoking Ramadevi Chaudhury's twin legacy of freedom struggle and women's empowerment, the Chief Minister signals alignment with both nationalist history and contemporary gender-policy priorities — a dual message useful ahead of any upcoming assembly session. This fits a broader pattern across BJP-governed states of elevating regional freedom fighters to build local cultural capital. The real test will be whether the tribute translates into substantive women's empowerment announcements or remains a ceremonial gesture.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ramadevi Chaudhury and why is she significant in Odisha?
Ramadevi Chaudhury (1899–1985) was a leading Odia freedom fighter and social reformer who participated in the Salt Satyagraha of 1930 and dedicated her life to women's education and empowerment, making her one of Odisha's most celebrated figures from the independence era.
What is Shradh Divas and why did CM Majhi observe it?
Shradh Divas refers to the death anniversary of a revered person, observed with tributes and remembrance. CM Majhi marked Ramadevi Chaudhury's Shradh Divas on 22 July 2026 by offering floral tributes at her statue near the Odisha Legislative Assembly.
Where is Ramadevi Chaudhury's statue located?
A statue of Ramadevi Chaudhury stands near the Odisha Legislative Assembly in Bhubaneswar, and it serves as the official site for state commemorations on her death anniversary.
What did Mohan Charan Majhi say about Ramadevi Chaudhury?
CM Majhi said her contributions to the freedom struggle, women's empowerment, and social service are 'incomparable and will always be remembered,' and that her ideals of sacrifice and dedication will 'continuously inspire us towards public service.'
When did Mohan Charan Majhi become Chief Minister of Odisha?
Mohan Charan Majhi assumed office as Chief Minister of Odisha in 2024, leading the BJP government in the state.
