Bhubaneswar: Congress MLAs announced on Thursday that they will continue their protest in the Odisha Assembly until the Speaker forms a House committee to investigate the alleged rise in atrocities against women and girls in the state.
The announcement came during a press conference held by the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) in Bhubaneswar.
CLP leader Rama Chandra Kadam revealed that, according to information provided by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi in the Assembly, a staggering 44,824 women and children went missing in Odisha between 2020 and 2024. Kadam, along with at least 10 other Congress MLAs, attended the press conference to highlight the issue.
“Such a huge number of people are missing. At the same time, there have been reports of minor school-going girls becoming pregnant,” Kadam said. He further pointed out that over 1,800 cases of atrocities against women were registered during the nine-month rule of the BJP government, emphasizing that women and girls are not safe in the state.
The Congress has been protesting since the beginning of the second phase of the budget session on March 7, demanding the formation of a House committee to probe these cases. The party has also announced plans to gherao the state Assembly on March 27.
Kadam criticized the Speaker for suspending senior Congress MLA Taraprasad Bahinipati for seven days instead of addressing the issue. “Unparliamentary words were used against Bahinipati. He was insulted, attacked, and suspended. However, we will continue our protest because the BJP government cannot suppress our voice through such actions,” he said.
The CLP leader also accused the Speaker of imposing restrictions on camera persons covering the proceedings during the Question Hour, specifically directing them not to film the Congress protest inside the House.
Senior Congress MLA Bahinipati, who was present at the press conference, condemned the Speaker’s actions, stating that the Assembly is not the personal property of anyone but belongs to the people of Odisha. “The ruling party is trying to snatch the rights of the opposition by suppressing their voice,” he alleged.
Explaining the demand for a House committee, Bahinipati said, “We want a committee with members from all parties to visit areas where atrocities against women and girls have been reported, investigate the incidents, and consult experts. Based on their findings, the committee should recommend a strong law to ensure capital punishment for culprits in sensitive crimes against women.”
The Congress’s protest underscores the growing concern over women’s safety in Odisha and the party’s determination to hold the government accountable for addressing the issue.
