The Odisha Assembly witnessed tumultuous scenes on Friday as opposition Congress MLAs staged vociferous protests over the rising crimes against women in the state. The agitated legislators disrupted proceedings, forcing multiple adjournments before Speaker Surama Padhy convened an all-party meeting to restore order.

As the session commenced for the day’s Question Hour, Congress MLAs stormed the Well of the House, some even attempting to climb onto the Speaker’s podium. Dressed entirely in black as a mark of protest, the opposition members beat gongs and blew flutes to draw attention to their demand for a House Committee to investigate crimes against women in Odisha.

Despite repeated appeals from the Speaker to maintain decorum, the unrelenting protests compelled her to adjourn the House multiple times. With normalcy showing no signs of return, Padhy called for an all-party meeting to deliberate on the opposition’s demands and find a way forward.

“We are witnessing an alarming rise in crimes against women in the state, and the government remains silent. We demand the immediate formation of a House Committee to probe these incidents and ensure justice,” said a protesting Congress MLA.

Meanwhile, the ruling BJD accused the opposition of politicizing the issue and disrupting legislative proceedings unnecessarily. “The government is committed to women’s safety and has taken several measures. The opposition should engage in meaningful discussion rather than resorting to theatrics,” a BJD leader stated.

The situation remains tense in the assembly as lawmakers await the outcome of the all-party meeting. Whether the Speaker’s intervention will pave the way for a resolution or the protests will continue remains to be seen.