Journalists barred from taking mobile phones into Odisha Assembly press gallery, protest erupts

Protests erupted in Bhubaneswar after journalists were prohibited from taking their mobile phones into the press gallery of the Odisha Legislative Assembly. Expressing outrage, dozens of journalists staged protests against the ban on mobile phone use in the press gallery.

The restriction met with strong resistance from the media fraternity, who gathered beside the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in the Assembly to stage a demonstration. The decision to ban mobile phones follows a recent incident of a scuffle between legislators inside the Assembly.

Mobile Phone Ban:

While sources said the ban was imposed to maintain the Assembly’s decorum and prevent any disruptions during the legislative sessions, journalists contend that the ban severely impacted their ability to report on proceedings efficiently and provide timely news updates. 

They further argued that mobile phones are crucial for real-time reporting and instant communication.

“This ban hampers press freedom, which is essential for democracy. It is impractical to carry out our work without a mobile phone. We want the government to reconsider this decision and allow us to use mobile phones,” a protesting journalist stated.

Negotiations Continue:

While the Assembly stands firm on its position regarding the ban, the journalists' association is committed to continuing negotiations with the relevant authorities in pursuit of a mutually agreeable resolution.

Heated Scuffle Among Legislators:

The Assembly erupted in chaos after a heated altercation between BJP MLA Jayanarayan Mishra and Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati during the Question Hour on Tuesday. The verbal spat escalated into a physical confrontation. Soon, other members of the treasury bench and the Congress also scuffled, following which the Speaker adjourned the proceedings.

Congress MLA Suspended:

Following the scuffle, Speaker Surama Padhy suspended Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati for unruly behavior. The Congress MLA has been placed under suspension for seven days. The lawmaker is also accused of breaking the podium microphone inside the Assembly, leading to the chaos.