Water Cannons Used as BJD Protesters Clash with Police Outside Odisha Assembly

Tensions flared outside the Odisha Assembly on Tuesday as police deployed water cannons to disperse thousands of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) activists during the party’s ‘Vidhan Sabha Ghearo’ agitation. The protesters, rallying against the BJP-led state government’s decision to empower unelected officers at the expense of elected three-tier Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) functionaries, attempted to storm the Assembly building, leading to a chaotic confrontation.

The demonstration began at Mahatma Gandhi Marg, where BJD supporters gathered in large numbers, chanting slogans and demanding a rollback of the government’s recent policy. The policy, which enhances the financial authority of Block Development Officers (BDOs) and engineers, is accused of undermining the powers of elected PRI representatives, over 90% of whom are affiliated with or supported by the BJD. As the protesters marched toward the Assembly, they broke through two security barricades and attempted to breach a third, prompting a swift response from the police.

A scuffle ensued near the third barricade, with police using water cannons to restore order and detaining several demonstrators. A senior police officer described the situation as volatile but stated that the measures were necessary to prevent unauthorized entry into the Assembly premises.

Also Read: Fertiliser Crisis Shuts Down Odisha Assembly as BJD Protests Rock House

BJD deputy leader in the Assembly, Prasanna Acharya, condemned the BJP government, accusing it of dismantling Odisha’s Panchayati Raj system. “The BJP government is all set to destroy the Panchayati Raj system in Odisha,” Acharya declared. “By raising the financial power of officers, they are demeaning the authority of elected representatives. We demand an immediate rollback of this decision.” He further alleged that the move was politically motivated to weaken the BJD’s influence, given its dominance in panchayat leadership roles.

The agitation highlights growing friction between the ruling BJP and the opposition BJD, with the latter accusing the government of eroding democratic institutions. The protest disrupted normal proceedings around the Assembly, drawing attention to the contentious issue of administrative overreach versus elected representation. As of now, the BJP government has not issued an official response to the BJD’s demands or the day’s events, leaving the situation tense and unresolved.

Also Read: Odisha Assembly Disrupted as BJD Protests Fertiliser Crisis