Bhubaneswar, Mar 7: The opposition members on Friday created uproar in the Odisha Legislative Assembly, accusing the BJP government of disrespecting the state's iconic leader, Biju Patnaik. The Speaker adjourned the proceedings twice, ultimately until 4 PM as the protests continued.
The protests began as soon as the House convened for the Question Hour. Opposition members condemned the government's decision to not observe Panchayati Raj Divas on March 5, the birth anniversary of Biju Patnaik, a tradition followed for the past 30 years. The opposition accused the government of deliberately breaking this tradition, with BJD MLA Adhiraj Panigrahi and Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati even attempting to grab the Speaker’s microphone. Security personnel quickly intervened, but the situation continued to escalate, prompting the Speaker to adjourn the House at 10:35 AM until 12 PM.
When the session resumed, the opposition protests persisted, leading the Speaker to adjourn the House again, this time until 4 PM.
The BJD members claimed that the BJP government was attempting to "erase the legacy" of Biju Patnaik by disconnecting the Panchayati Raj Divas celebrations from his birth anniversary. Since 1993, Panchayati Raj Divas had been celebrated on March 5, but the state government decided to observe it on April 24, in line with practices outside Odisha.
In response, opposition members continued their protests, demanding that the government reverse its decision. Placards were raised in the House, and after the adjournment, BJD MLAs staged a sit-in near the statue of Biju Patnaik, while Congress members held a peaceful protest near the Mahatma Gandhi statue on the assembly premises.
Speaking to the media, eight-time BJD MLA Ranendra Pratap Swain accused the BJP government of "dishonoring" Biju Patnaik, claiming that the people of Odisha would never tolerate such an attack on their iconic leader. “This is a direct insult to Odisha’s pride,” he said.
Former Minister Arun Kumar Sahoo stated that the BJD would continue its agitation inside and outside the House until the government rescinds its decision. He also called the government's move "illegal," as it was implemented through an executive order.
Meanwhile, BJP members defended the state government, claiming that the opposition's protests were obstructing the House’s proceedings. Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik emphasized the BJP’s respect for Biju Patnaik and criticized the BJD for using his name for political gain. He also accused the BJD of failing to install a statue of Biju Patnaik at its headquarters, Sankha Bhawan.
In response, BJD member Goutam Buddha Das questioned how any discussion could occur in the Assembly when the government had not apologized for disrespecting Biju Patnaik. "They should restore Biju Patnaik’s dignity first," he stated.
Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Rama Chandra Kadam also condemned the BJP government, not only for its alleged disrespect to Biju Patnaik but also for its handling of crimes against women and children.
Kadam pointed to alarming statistics, such as 1,600 crimes against women within just 8 months of BJP rule, and over 36,000 missing women and girls in Odisha as of 2024.
“We are protesting both inside and outside the Assembly over these issues,” he said.
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