Bhubaneswar: After giving a gap for one day, yesterday, the Congress MLAs continued their protest over rising crimes against women in the State and stalled proceedings in the Odisha Legislative Assembly on 19 March.
The Congress Members are demanding formation of a House Committee to address the rising incidents of crimes against women in the State.
Due to strong protest by the Congress MLAs in the well of the House, the proceedings were adjourned twice—first at 10:35 AM until 12:00 PM and again at 12:02 PM until 4:00 PM—by Speaker Surama Padhy.
As soon as the House assembled at 10.30 AM for Question Hour, holding placards, the Congress MLAs raised slogans inside the well of the House in support of their demand.
As a result, the Question Hour, Zero Hour, and the debate on the adjournment motion were completely disrupted, with no business being transacted.
Though the Speaker requested the agitated Congress Members to return to their seats and allow the House to function smoothly, they ignored the Speaker’s appeal and continued their sloganeering inside the well, demanding the formation of a House Committee to address the increasing crimes against women.
The Congress Members stated that they would continue their protests until a House Committee was constituted to look into the rising atrocities against women.
Finding it difficult to conduct proceedings amid the protests, the Speaker adjourned the House at 10:35 AM until 12 PM.
Later, the Congress members, holding placards in their hands, proceeded to the Mahatma Gandhi statue inside the Assembly premises and staged a dharna in support of their demand.
When the House reassembled at 12 PM, the situation remained unchanged. Congress members once again trooped into the well of the House, raised slogans, and attempted to disrupt the proceedings.
As the protests intensified, the Speaker, finding no other option, adjourned the House at 12:02 PM until 4:00 PM without taking up any business.
Speaking to Media persons outside the House, Congress MLA Sofia Firdous, while participating in the dharna, alleged that the State Government was not sensitive towards cases of crimes against women.
“What is wrong if a House Committee is constituted to ensure that the culprits are punished?” she questioned.
Similarly, senior BJD MLA Pramila Mallik questioned the Speaker’s decision and said, “Why has the Speaker not invited the agitating Congress MLAs for a discussion till now?” she asked.
Reacting to the issue, BJP MLA Irasish Acharya said the State Government has already issued its statement after a discussion on the law and order situation yesterday. “There is no need for further discussion on the same topic,” he said.
Shri Acharya alleged that both BJD and Congress are stalling the House without any valid issues.