Bhubaneswar, March 14: The BJP today demanded resignation of ST & SC development, minorities and backward classes welfare minister Lal Bihari Himirika for exposing the names and identity of rape survivors in the Assembly.

The party, which drew support from civil society activists, also demanded an unconditional apology from the minister, who, in his written reply to a question by Rourkela's BJP MLA Dilip Ray, yesterday divulged the names and addresses of the minor schoolchildren who had been sexually assaulted. The minister also said five girls from residential schools run by his department had become pregnant in the past three years.

Citing the Nirbhaya case, social activist Rabi Das said: "Even the film producer who made a movie on the issue had to seek permission from the parents of the victim before mentioning her name in the film. But in this case, when the girls are struggling to come to terms with their tragedy, disclosing their names would only make things difficult for them."

Demanding an apology from the minister, Das said: "Those officers who have provided the information to the minister should be also punished."

BJP women wing state president Seemanthini Jana said: "As the minister has embarrassed women in general, he should resign immediately. He should also offer an unconditional apology."

Under provisions of Section 228(A) of the IPC, the identity of a rape victim or related offences cannot be made public. There are also penal provisions, including imprisonment up to two years, for those disclosing names in such cases.

Jena also said her party would move the National Human Rights Commission and the women's commission on this issue. Samajwadi state unit president Rabi Behera also demanded the minister's resignation.

In a letter to chief minister Naveen Patnaik, Behera said: "Himirika is liable for penal action as he has disclosed the name of the rape victim."

Himirika refused to comment on the controversy.

In his reply in the Assembly yesterday, the minister said the government had initiated action against the erring school headmasters, assistant hostel superintendents, assistant teachers and other staff members and suspended them.