In a dramatic turn of events at the Odisha assembly, 12 suspended Congress MLAs staged a protest in the Well of the House, refusing to vacate and demanding an inquiry into crimes against women during BJP’s rule. Speaker Surama Padhy took action against the MLAs for their indiscipline, leading to a heated standoff. The MLAs resorted to playing gongs and chanting slogans to voice their grievances, causing disruptions in the proceedings. Efforts to defuse the situation through an all-party meeting proved futile as the suspended MLAs remained adamant in their demands. The incident has brought attention to the growing tensions between the opposition parties and the ruling BJP in Odisha, with concerns over the handling of women’s safety issues taking center stage. The assembly session was marred by the chaos, with no immediate resolution in sight. The ongoing standoff underscores the need for constructive dialogue and cooperation among political parties to address pressing issues facing the state.