Fri Mar 21 07:10:59 UTC 2025: **Odisha Assembly Disrupted by Congress Protest Over Women’s Safety**
BHUBANESWAR, Odisha – March 21, 2025 – The Odisha Assembly was disrupted today by a protest from Congress MLAs demanding a House Committee investigation into crimes against women in the state. The protest, marked by the opposition MLAs wearing black, beating gongs, and blowing flutes, led to multiple adjournments.
The demonstrations began during Question Hour, with Congress members storming the Well of the House and attempting to reach the Speaker’s podium. Speaker Surama Padhy adjourned the proceedings twice, for an hour and then for a further 30 minutes, before finally convening an all-party meeting to try and resolve the situation.
Congress MLA Taraprasad Bahinipati, recently suspended for a week for similar protests, led the demonstration. Congress legislature party leader Rama Chandra Kadam vowed to continue protests until a House Committee is formed. Bahinipati accused the state government of suppressing the opposition’s voice.
Meanwhile, the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) also voiced concerns, criticizing restrictions placed on press coverage of the protest. BJD MLA Arun Kumar Sahoo called the restrictions undemocratic, arguing the public has a right to know how their representatives are raising issues. The situation remains tense, with the future of the Assembly proceedings uncertain.
First Piper 