Bhubaneswar, March 19: The Odisha Legislative Assembly witnessed a heated protest on Wednesday, with Congress MLAs demanding the formation of a House committee to address women’s safety concerns. The opposition alleged that crimes against women have surged under the BJP government in the past eight months.

Amidst the chaos, Speaker Surama Padhy adjourned the House first till noon and later till 4 p.m. Following the adjournment, Congress legislators staged a demonstration near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi inside the Assembly premises.

Congress Legislature Party leader Rama Chandra Kadam criticized the ruling government, citing media reports that highlight a worsening law-and-order situation in Odisha. “Women in the state are not safe, and the situation has only deteriorated under the BJP regime. We demand the immediate formation of a House committee to discuss women’s safety,” Kadam stated.

He further asserted that the Congress party will continue its protest until their demand is met, even announcing plans to gherao the Assembly on March 27.

Senior Congress leader Tara Prasad Bahinipati supported the demand, suggesting that a House committee with representatives from all political parties should be set up to probe crimes against women. He also pushed for stricter laws to ensure harsh punishment for offenders.

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