The Odisha Assembly witnessed a dramatic episode on Thursday as two Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs, including the opposition chief whip Mohan Majhi, were suspended from the legislative body until the end of the current session on October 4. This unprecedented suspension came after the two BJP lawmakers threw pulses, locally known as ‘daal,’ at the Speaker’s podium in protest. The incident unfolded during a heated debate that followed a remark made by a ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA about the mental health of opposition members.
The spark that ignited the chaotic scenes in the Odisha Assembly was a statement by Nayagarh MLA Arun Kumar Sahoo, who belongs to the BJD, the ruling party in the state. In his statement, Sahoo criticized the leader of the opposition, Jaynarayan Mishra of the BJP, and Congress Legislature Party leader Narasingha Mishra for their recent comments targeting Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s private secretary and 5T secretary. Although Sahoo did not mention the officer’s name, his remarks implied that the opposition members may be suffering from a “mental health disorder.”
Sahoo’s comment was met with strong opposition from BJP members, who interpreted it as an attack on their mental well-being. In protest, they trooped into the well of the House, demanding the immediate removal of the words “mental health disorder” from Sahoo’s statement.
The situation quickly escalated as tempers flared, and amid the chaos, two BJP MLAs, Mohan Majhi and Mukesh Mahaling, resorted to an unconventional form of protest by throwing ‘daal’ (pulses) at Speaker Pramila Mallik’s podium. The unexpected act stunned the Assembly and added to the already tense atmosphere.
Speaker Pramila Mallik, tasked with maintaining order and decorum in the legislative body, took immediate action in response to the unruly behavior. She announced the suspension of the two BJP lawmakers from the Odisha Assembly, and the suspension would remain in effect until the conclusion of the current session, scheduled to end on October 4.
The suspension of the MLAs serves as a rare and stern disciplinary action within the legislative context. Such incidents of lawmakers resorting to disruptive behavior and symbolic gestures, like throwing objects in the House, are unusual and not in line with the expected conduct of elected representatives.
The incident underscores the importance of maintaining civility and respect for parliamentary procedures during debates and discussions. In a democracy, legislative bodies play a crucial role in shaping policy and governance, and constructive debates are essential for the effective functioning of these institutions.
While disagreements and debates are an inherent part of the political process, it is essential for lawmakers to uphold the decorum of the House and engage in meaningful discussions rather than resorting to disruptive actions. The suspension of the BJP MLAs serves as a reminder of the responsibility that elected representatives bear in upholding the sanctity of legislative proceedings and fostering a conducive environment for healthy debates and deliberations.
