Bhubaneswar, Mar 18: The Odisha Legislative Assembly witnessed unprecedented scenes on Wednesday as Opposition MLAs staged massive protests over the tragic fire at SCB Medical College and Hospital, which claimed 12 lives and injured around 20 others.
The fire, reportedly caused by a short circuit in the Trauma ICU on the first floor, broke out while patients were asleep, triggering outrage across Odisha. As the House convened, Opposition members raised slogans, demanding accountability and immediate action against those responsible.
Amid the chaos, Speaker Surama Padhy initially adjourned proceedings till 11:30 a.m. However, the situation failed to improve after the House reconvened, with legislators intensifying their protest and demanding the resignation of Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling. The Speaker was forced to adjourn the House again till 4 p.m.
During the adjournment, Opposition MLAs staged a dramatic protest within the Assembly premises by holding a mock funeral, symbolising what they described as the “death of the state’s health system.” Carrying ritual items like Kalash and Khoi, they offered flowers and chanted funeral hymns.
Members from the Biju Janata Dal and Indian National Congress joined the protest, displaying placards demanding the minister’s resignation. The incident has intensified political tensions and sparked widespread public anger across the state.
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