Bhubaneswar, March 10: The Odisha Assembly witnessed intense disruptions on Monday as opposition members from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Indian National Congress raised multiple issues, leading to repeated adjournments.
Opposition legislators stormed near the Speaker’s podium as soon as the proceedings commenced, holding placards and chanting slogans against the government. The uproar forced Speaker Surama Padhy to initially adjourn the House till 12:09 PM, then until 1 PM, and later till 4 PM as the protests continued.
The BJD's primary contention stemmed from controversial remarks made by senior BJP leader and Sambalpur MLA Jayanarayan Mishra during an official event in Sambalpur on March 8. Mishra described the integration of the Koshal region (Western Odisha) into the state as a “historic blunder,” sparking outrage.
Senior BJD leader Rajendra Pratap Swain condemned Mishra’s statement, calling it an insult to Odisha’s history and legacy. “Disrespect was shown to the state anthem 'Bande Utkal Janani’ in the presence of state cabinet minister Rabi Narayan Naik and senior leader Jayanarayan Mishra. This is a serious offense against the state. We will not tolerate any disrespect to the anthem or the people of Odisha,” Swain asserted.
Swain further criticized the BJP, accusing it of indulging in divisive politics. “Mishra’s remarks insult the contributions of Madhusudan Das, Gopabandhu Das, and countless ancestors who fought for a unified Odisha,” he added. BJD legislators also staged a protest under the statue of Madhusudan Das inside the Assembly premises, demanding a statement from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to clarify the government’s stance on the issue.
Meanwhile, Congress members staged a parallel protest against the BJP-led state government over the alleged surge in crimes against women in the past eight months. Congress MLA Sofia Firdous accused the government of inaction, stating, “Despite being in power for nine months, the government has failed to ensure women's safety. Crimes against women are on the rise, and even female students are not safe in schools. Our repeated concerns have gone unheard.”
