Religion takes over Odisha Assembly

Religion seemed to have taken over the Odisha Legislative Assembly yesterday with sprinkling of Ganga water and beating of gongs.

Women members of the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) sprinkled Ganga water (Gangajal) on the Opposition members of the Assembly seeking that “good sense” would prevail on them and that they would cooperate with the treasury benches to ensure smooth functioning of the House.

Members of the opposition, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) responded with the beating of gongs and ringing of bells. The BJP members also wore black scarf to protest against the government’s failure on various fronts, primarily the refusal to drop Minister of State for Home Dibya Shankar Mishra, who allegedly shielded the main accused in the murder of Kalahandi teacher Mamita Meher.

Not to be left behind, the Congress members of the House stormed into the Well of the House holding placards and banners demanding the dismissal of Mishra from the Cabinet. They also shouted slogans in support of their demand.

The government has refused to accept the demand by the BJP and the Congress, on the grounds that the matter is being probed by a former district judge and appealed to the opposition members of the House, to await the findings of the probe.

Seeing the commotion in the House, Speaker Sura Narayan Patro adjourned the House.

Later, the BJP legislators staged a dharna in front of Mahatma Gandhi’s statue on the legislature premises.