Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Assembly on Friday descended into chaos as legislators debated the registration of a case against Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Byomakesh Ray and senior party leaders Lenin Mohanty and Akram Khan. The case centers on their alleged involvement in a group clash during a torch rally protesting the renaming of Ravenshaw University in Cuttack, which occurred on Wednesday.
The issue was brought to the forefront during the Zero Hour of the Assembly by Byomakesh Ray himself. He revealed that the FIR filed against him included charges under the Arms Act, which he strongly contested, seeking protection from the charges. The session soon turned tumultuous, with BJD leaders rallying around Ray and demanding the withdrawal of the case. Their protests led to the House being adjourned twice as tensions flared.
Speaking to the media, Ray explained that the Education Minister had earlier called for a debate on the renaming of Ravenshaw University. In response, alumni, students, and former student union leaders convened to discuss the issue. The BJD MLA, a former student of the university, stated that he participated in the peaceful meeting held on the university’s lawn. After the discussion, students organized a torch rally around the campus, followed by a demonstration to express their dissent.
Ray expressed his dismay over the FIR, stating that a complaint had been lodged against him simply for participating in the demonstration and voicing his concerns in the Assembly. He emphasized that his involvement in the peaceful rally was part of the democratic process and lamented that the police had registered a case under serious charges without conducting a thorough investigation.
“I would join the protest against renaming the university naturally, as a three-time MLA and former student of Ravenshaw University. The police’s hasty action to register an FIR against me, accusing me under the Arms Act, is disheartening,” Ray said. He accused the state government of deliberately targeting him by registering the FIR.
Meanwhile, the BJP accused the Opposition of raising irrelevant issues in an attempt to stall House proceedings. The ruling party also accused the BJD of politicizing the renaming of Ravenshaw University.
The events leading up to the Assembly ruckus began on Wednesday night when a clash broke out between two groups during the torch rally in Cuttack. The rally was organized to protest the proposed renaming of Ravenshaw University. On Thursday, the police registered two separate cases based on complaints lodged by Sidhant Sadangi, a student of the university, and Shyama Sundar Sahoo, a research scholar at the institution. The FIR filed by Shyama Sundar implicated BJD Chandabali MLA Byomakesh Ray, Lenin Mohanty, and Akram Khan in the incident.
As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the case will progress and whether the tensions within the Assembly will de-escalate. The renaming of Ravenshaw University has now become a flashpoint of political contention, with accusations flying from all sides.