The Odisha Assembly witnessed chaos today as Congress members staged protests, disrupting the Question Hour and leading to multiple adjournments.
The uproar began when Congress MLAs demanded the formation of a House Committee to investigate cases of harassment against women.
As the Question Hour commenced, Congress members stormed the well of the House, holding placards and shouting slogans. Despite Speaker Surama Padhy’s attempts to proceed, the disruptions forced her to adjourn the House twice—first till 12 noon and later till 4 PM.
The adjournment motion moved by the BJD, addressing issues in Gunupur Anwesha hostel could not be discussed due to the stalemate. The motion highlighted concerns over low-quality food and harassment, which had led hundreds of tribal students to leave the hostel at midnight.
Outside the House, Congress MLA Sofia Firdous emphasized the urgency of addressing women’s safety, stating, “Women’s safety is a big issue in our state. Starting from minors, no woman is safe. Our fight will continue until women feel safe.”
Meanwhile, BJP MLA Irasis Acharya criticized the Congress for stalling proceedings, arguing that violence against women has decreased and other pressing issues require attention.
The protests follow similar disruptions on Tuesday, where Congress members staged silent protests and walked out, demanding stricter laws for women’s safety. The ongoing stalemate underscores the heightened tensions in the Assembly over this critical issue.
