Odisha Congress workers intensified their protest on Wednesday following the suspension of 12 party MLAs from the Legislative Assembly. The suspended legislators, who had staged an overnight protest inside the Assembly on March 25, were forcibly removed by officials, leading to fresh demonstrations outside the state Congress office.
The protest was sparked by demands for the formation of a House Committee to investigate alleged atrocities against women in the state. Congress leaders have accused officials of using force against them during their removal from the Assembly premises.
Congress MLA Taraprasad Bahinipati claimed that he and others were physically assaulted while being taken out of the Assembly.
“A House Committee should be formed, but they are afraid because the truth will come out. When I was inside, they hit me and others too. I have never seen police entering the House and assaulting MLAs. We have been suspended for seven days,” Bahinipati told ANI.
MLA Sagar Charan Das also condemned the police action, stating that they were peacefully raising concerns about women’s safety. He reiterated that, as elected representatives, it was their duty to highlight such serious issues.
“We were protesting peacefully and demanding justice for women’s safety. This is not a joke. The police even assaulted two MLAs. We will continue our protest,” Das stated.
Odisha Congress legislative party chief Ramchandra Kadam, also among the suspended MLAs, accused the BJP-led government of ignoring the rising crimes against women.
“We were demanding the formation of a House Committee for the protection of our women, mothers, and daughters, but the government refuses to listen. In nine months, there have been around 1,700-1,800 reported assaults on women and minors in Odisha. It is shameful, and yet, the government is not ready to act,” Kadam said.
Earlier, on March 25, Kadam had raised concerns over the escalating violence against women, stating that it was the government’s responsibility to ensure a functioning and accountable legislative system.
Odisha Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy suspended 12 of the 14 Congress MLAs for seven days, citing “indiscipline, disrespecting the Chair, and violating rules.”
Despite the suspension, Congress leaders have vowed to continue their agitation until their demands are met, further escalating political tensions in the state.
