Pandemonium Erupts in Odisha Assembly Amidst Opposition Protests
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Synopsis
On March 10, the Odisha Assembly was thrown into chaos as opposition members from BJD and Congress protested various issues, including controversial remarks by BJP leader Jayanarayan Mishra. The protests led to multiple adjournments of the assembly session.
Key Takeaways
- Opposition turmoil in the Odisha Assembly over various issues.
- Controversial comments by BJP leader Jayanarayan Mishra.
- Multiple adjournments of assembly sessions due to uproar.
- Calls for clarification from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
- Ongoing protests regarding women's safety by Congress.
Bhubaneswar, March 10 (NationPress) The Odisha Assembly experienced significant turmoil on Monday, as members from the Biju Janata Dal and Indian National Congress raised their voices over various issues.
As the session commenced, opposition legislators were observed chanting anti-government slogans while brandishing placards near the speaker’s podium. This uproar compelled speaker Surama Padhy to first adjourn the assembly until 12:09 PM and subsequently until 1 PM. Yet, as the opposition persisted with their disruption, Padhy was forced to adjourn the assembly again until 4 PM.
The BJD members vociferously protested against alleged controversial comments made by senior BJP leader and Sambalpur MLA Jayanarayan Mishra during an official event in Sambalpur on March 8.
During his address, Mishra claimed that the inclusion of the Koshal region (the western part of the state) into Odisha was a ‘historic blunder’.
In conversations with the media, senior BJD leader Rajendra Pratap Swain stated: “The state anthem 'Bande Utkal Janani' was disrespected in the presence of state cabinet minister Rabi Narayan Naik and Jayanarayan Mishra, who was the former Leader of Opposition and is now a senior member of this assembly. This is a very serious offense against Odisha. We will not tolerate any disrespect towards our state anthem and our people.”
Swain further denounced Mishra's statement, labeling it an unpardonable error made during the event by suggesting that the integration of western Odisha into the state was a historic mistake. The BJD leader emphasized that this remark is entirely condemnable.
“Mishra's comments, which aim to divide Odisha, reveal the divisive politics practiced by the BJP at the national level. It is a slight against the esteemed figures like Madhusudan Das, Gopabandhu Das, and countless ancestors who fought for a unified Odisha,” Swain remarked.
The BJD legislators also staged a protest beneath the statue of Madhusudan Das within the Assembly grounds regarding the issue.
The primary opposition called for a statement from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to clarify the government's stance on this matter during the assembly session.
Conversely, the Congress legislators continued their protests against the state government, citing a rise in incidents of violence against women in Odisha over the past eight months under the BJP-led government.
“The state government has had a lengthy period of nine months. Nevertheless, the occurrence of crimes against women continues to escalate. The safety of girl students in schools is also at risk. We have consistently raised our concerns in the assembly regarding women's safety, but the government remains unresponsive,” stated Congress MLA Sofia Firdous.
She noted that the Congress is organizing protests both inside and outside the assembly. Firdous added that the Odisha Congress is conducting demonstrations at district collectors’ offices statewide, and party leaders will submit memorandums following these protests.
