The Assam Assembly witnessed intense disruptions on Wednesday, leading to three adjournments as ruling and opposition members clashed over multiple contentious issues. The opposition parties sought urgent discussions on issues like the Umrangso coal mine tragedy, APSC cash-for-job scam, coal syndicates, and alleged torture in detention centres. However, the Speaker rejected all adjournment motions, triggering chaos inside the House.
Opposition’s Demands for Discussion
The opposition moved four adjournment motions on key concerns:
- Umrangso coal mine tragedy – Raised by Congress, demanding accountability and justice for the victims.
- Coal syndicates and illegal trade – Brought forward by CPI(M), highlighting the growing influence of coal mafias in Assam.
- Alleged torture of Indian citizens in detention centres – Raised by AIUDF, calling for an investigation into reported human rights violations.
- APSC cash-for-job scam – Raised by Independent MLA Akhil Gogoi, seeking action based on the Justice (Retd) Biplab Kumar Sharma Commission’s report.
Despite the opposition’s united call for urgent discussions, Speaker Biswajit Daimary rejected all four adjournment motions, suggesting that these issues could be raised through alternative parliamentary procedures.
Ruling BJP Members Demand Discussion on APSC Scam Report
In a surprising turn, ruling BJP members also gathered in the well of the House, demanding a discussion on the Justice Biplab Kumar Sharma Commission’s report on the APSC cash-for-job scam. The BJP-led alliance raised slogans and clapped inside the well, urging the Speaker to prioritize the APSC scam debate over the opposition’s demands.
The BJP’s aggressive stance led to further tensions as opposition members accused the ruling party of diverting attention from other pressing issues like the coal mine tragedy and alleged torture in detention centres.
AIUDF Protests Alleged Torture in Detention Centres
Adding to the chaos, AIUDF members held up placards inside the Assembly, demanding justice for detainees allegedly tortured in Assam’s detention centres. This issue has been a major point of contention, with human rights activists and opposition leaders criticizing the state government’s handling of detention centre conditions.
First Adjournment: House in Chaos
As the Question Hour ended, the situation escalated. Both ruling and opposition members gathered in the well of the House, shouting slogans and pressing their demands. Despite repeated warnings from the Speaker, protests intensified, leading to the first adjournment of the session for 10 minutes.
Second and Third Adjournments: Continued Disruptions
When the House reconvened, the disruptions persisted, forcing Speaker Biswajit Daimary to adjourn the session a second time. He emphasized that the day’s agenda included discussions on the governor’s speech, leaving no room for additional debates. However, both ruling and opposition members refused to back down, leading to a third adjournment.
APSC Cash-for-Job Scam: A Major Flashpoint
The Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) scam has been a long-standing controversy involving allegations of cash-for-jobs in government services. The Justice (Retd) Biplab Kumar Sharma Commission’s report has reportedly revealed major irregularities in recruitment processes, prompting demands for strict action against those involved.
The ruling BJP government, which initially positioned itself as a reformist force against corruption, is now under pressure to address the findings of the commission. The opposition, led by Congress and Akhil Gogoi, has accused the government of shielding influential figures linked to the scam.
Political Implications of the Assembly Uproar
The repeated adjournments in the Assam Assembly reflect the deepening political divide in the state. The opposition’s aggressive stance on issues like the Umrangso coal mine tragedy and detention centre allegations highlights their strategy to corner the ruling government ahead of upcoming elections.
Meanwhile, the BJP’s unexpected demand for a discussion on the APSC scam report suggests that the ruling party wants to project itself as committed to anti-corruption measures. However, their refusal to discuss other key issues has drawn criticism from political rivals.
With tensions running high, the Assam Assembly is likely to witness further disruptions in the coming days. The opposition has vowed to continue pressing for discussions on coal syndicates, detention centres, and the APSC scam, while the ruling government seeks to control the narrative.
