Congress intensifies its protest on crime against women in Odisha

Odisha Congress intensifies protest against rising crimes against women, leading to suspension of MLAs and scuffle with security personnel.

The Odisha Congress on Wednesday (March 26, 2025) intensified its protest against the rising crimes against women after its demonstration in the State Assembly on Tuesday (March 25, 2025) that had resulted in the suspension of 12 party MLAs.

Despite their suspension, Congress MLAs remained inside the Well of the House and later spent the night on the road at Mahatma Gandhi Marg, in front of the Odisha Legislative Assembly. Earlier on Wednesday (March 26, 2025), Congress workers marched towards the Assembly in protest against the suspension. When security personnel intervened, a scuffle broke out.

As the situation remained unfavourable for the normal functioning of the Assembly, Speaker Surama Padhi suspended the two remaining Congress MLAs, Tara Prasad Bahinipati and Ramesh Jena. Meanwhile, the Biju Janata Dal, which has been demanding a 27% reservation for Other Backward Class candidates in jobs and education, continued its walkout.

Throughout the day, Congress workers repeatedly attempted to breach the Assembly premises, but security personnel thwarted their efforts.

Congress MLAs claimed they were mistreated by security personnel while staging a ‘peaceful’ demonstration inside the House on Tuesday (March 25, 2025) evening. However, BJP MLAs outrightly dismissed these allegations.

Later addressing a press conference, State Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said, “We challenge the Congress MLAs to present a single piece of evidence proving they were ill-treated. On the contrary, it was the Congress workers accompanying them who attempted to damage Assembly property, as witnessed firsthand by the security personnel on duty. This marks a new low in the history of the Assembly.”

“We urged Congress workers to allow the House to function smoothly, but they refused, seemingly acting on directives from the Congress’ central leadership. This is nothing but a deliberate attempt to derail the Budget session. There is a conspiracy to halt Odisha’s development,” said Mr. Harichandan.