Bhubaneswar, July 4 (Reporter) BJD chief Naveen Patnaik has strongly condemned the remarks made by BJP MLA Santosh Khatua against senior BJD leader Lekhashree Samantasinghar, calling them "deeply disturbing and unacceptable." Taking to his social media platform X, Patnaik said, "Publicly defaming a woman as a political response reflects a sick mentality and is aimed at silencing women in public life. This sends a message that all women should remain silent." The leader of Opposition in the Odisha Assembly further stated, “What is even more disheartening is the complete silence of BJP leaders. Not a single member has come forward to condemn the MLA’s hateful comment or hold him accountable.” Patnaik added that the lack of response from the ruling party reflects its true stance on women in public life. “Before offering advice on women’s empowerment, political leaders must first learn the basic principle of respecting women,” he said. Terming the remarks as "extremely unbearable and inhumane," Patnaik noted that such language from an elected representative has brought Odisha’s political discourse to a new low. He appealed to all conscious citizens of Odisha to recognize the true nature of those with such anti-women and regressive mindsets who have entered the State Assembly. "Let us stand united, regardless of political affiliation, to oppose this behavior and demand accountability. Otherwise, we will fail our daughters and mothers as a society," the BJD supremo said. The controversy erupted after BJP MLA from Nilgiri, Santosh Khatua, allegedly made derogatory remarks recently against BJD leader Lekhashree Samantasinghar. The remarks have sparked widespread outrage, with BJD leaders demanding a public apology from both Khatua and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. Opposition chief whip Pramila Mallik also condemned the remark, calling them "an attack on women’s participation in politics...////...