Frequent Adjournments in Odisha Assembly Amid Congress Protests on Women's Safety
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Synopsis
On March 21, the Odisha Assembly faced numerous adjournments due to protests from the Opposition Congress, who demanded a House committee to address women's safety. The protests included traditional musical instruments and highlighted the alleged inaction by the Odisha government regarding women's safety issues.
Key Takeaways
- Multiple adjournments in Odisha Assembly.
- Congress protests for women's safety committee.
- Traditional instruments used during protests.
- Speaker called for all-party meeting.
- Congress to gherao Assembly on March 27.
Bhubaneswar, March 21 (NationPress) The Odisha Assembly experienced yet another series of adjournments on Friday as members of the Opposition Congress persisted with their demonstrations, urging the formation of a House committee concerning the safety and security of women within the state.
As soon as the proceedings began, Congress legislators donned black attire and assembled near the Speaker’s podium, engaging in protests while utilizing various traditional musical instruments, including bells, flutes, clarinets, cymbals, and more.
Later, the Congress members paraded around the Assembly building, continuing to play instruments as they voiced their discontent regarding the Odisha government’s alleged negligence towards atrocities against women in the state.
Amidst the uproar, Speaker Surama Padhy had to adjourn the House multiple times on Friday. She convened an all-party meeting to discuss restoring order, but it failed to resolve the impasse.
Eventually, the House was adjourned until 4 pm by Speaker Padhy.
“Currently, our mothers, sisters, and female students in the state are not safe. We have been protesting for the last 10 days in the House. Our legislator faced an unjust suspension for voicing our concerns. The Odisha government has chosen to ignore this issue. Our protest will persist until the government establishes a House committee focused on women’s safety,” stated Rama Chandra Kadam, leader of the Congress Legislative Party.
Kadam also questioned the suspension of Congress MLA, Tara Prasad Bahinipati, for seven days following an altercation within the House on March 11.
He argued that the Odisha government unfairly suspended the Congress leader while failing to take any action against ruling BJP members and a minister involved in the scuffle, despite clear video evidence.
The Congress CLP leader accused the government of attempting to silence the party through suspensions.
The Congress has declared plans to conduct a gherao of the Odisha Assembly on March 27, demanding accountability for women’s safety and security.
