Bhubaneswar (23 July 2019): The Odisha Legislative Assembly witnessed significant disruptions today as opposition parties BJP and Congress protested over the issue of a minor's rape and disappearance. Both parties demanded a thorough discussion on this sensitive matter and urged the government to take appropriate action. The uproar was so intense that the Assembly could not function for the second consecutive day.
Due to the protests, the Assembly's proceedings, including Question Hour, Zero Hour, adjournment discussions, and expenditure discussions, could not take place. The House was repeatedly adjourned, and it functioned for only 11 minutes.
As soon as Question Hour began, BJP and Congress members stood up in their seats. BJP members moved to the well of the House, while Congress members stood in their places, raising slogans against the government. Both parties insisted that no other business should be conducted until a proper discussion on the increasing incidents of minor rapes took place. BJP members also demanded the resignation of the Chief Minister.
Amidst the chaos, the Speaker attempted to start Question Hour and called upon the Panchayati Raj Minister to answer a question, which further agitated the opposition. Leader of the Opposition Mohan Majhi stood on a chair and moved towards the Speaker's podium. The Minister's response could not be heard due to the commotion. The Speaker was forced to adjourn the House at 10:32 AM until 3 PM.
When the House reconvened at 3 PM, similar scenes unfolded. Both BJP and Congress members moved to the well of the House again. The Speaker adjourned the House for half an hour at 3:03 PM. When the House resumed at 3:33 PM, the Speaker tried to continue the proceedings, but the opposition's protests were so intense that it was impossible to conduct business. The House was adjourned again at 3:37 PM for another half hour.
At 4:07 PM, the Speaker announced an all-party meeting and adjourned the House for an hour. Due to the ongoing meeting, the House was further adjourned from 5:08 PM to 5:38 PM, 5:38 PM to 6:08 PM, and 6:08 PM to 6:38 PM. The House finally resumed at 6:38 PM. The Speaker informed that, as per the decision of the all-party meeting, an adjournment discussion on the minor's rape and disappearance case would be held the next day.
