Opposition MLAs create ruckus in Odisha Assembly over textbook errors
Opposition MLAs on Wednesday created a ruckus in the Odisha Assembly demanding the resignation of School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond over errors in school textbooks, forcing the adjournment of the House till 4 pm.
As the House assembled for Question Hour at 10.30 am on the second day of the monsoon session, BJD and Congress members carrying placards entered the well and staged an agitation near the Speaker's podium.
The BJD members demanded Gond's resignation over errors in school textbooks, while Congress MLAs sought repeal of the new mining law, citing provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act.
Some of the protesting members stood on the reporters' table, while others attempted to climb onto the Speaker's podium as anti-government slogans were raised in the well.
The treasury bench members remained seated as the opposition continued its protest.
The agitation intensified when Deputy Speaker Bhabani Shankar Bhoi, who was presiding over the proceedings, allowed Science and Technology Minister K C Patra to respond to questions from the opposition members.
Bhoi appealed to the protesting MLAs to return to their seats, but they continued their agitation.
The Deputy Speaker subsequently adjourned the House till 4 pm, barely five minutes after proceedings began.
After the adjournment, BJD MLAs headed to Mahatma Gandhi Marg to join a protest by the party's youth and student wings demanding Gond's resignation.
