Bhubaneswar:  Biju Janata Dal (BJD) supremo and Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Assembly Naveen Patnaik on Monday led a protest march in Bhubaneswar demanding repeal of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026, alleging that the legislation curtails Odisha’s rights over its mineral resources.

Addressing party workers during the protest, Mr Patnaik said the agitation was aimed at protecting the interests of Odisha and its 4.5 crore people. “The people of Odisha are the rightful owners of Odisha’s mines and Odisha’s land,” he said.

Mr Patnaik alleged that the amendment was passed by Parliament without adequate discussion and questioned the silence of the 20 BJP MPs from Odisha. He also criticised the state government for not responding to his demands for a special Assembly session and a resolution opposing the amendment.

“I wrote to the Chief Minister demanding a Special Session of the Assembly. There was no reply. I wrote to the Chief Minister again demanding a resolution opposing the MMDR Amendment Act. Still, no reply,” Mr Patnaik said.

He claimed the amended law could cause Odisha to suffer losses running into thousands of crores of rupees every year and appealed to all political parties to join the BJD’s campaign.

“No party can ever be greater than this motherland. Power is here today, gone tomorrow. But betraying this land will bring everlasting disgrace,” he said, adding that he would continue fighting for Odisha’s rights.

BJD vice-president Debi Prasad Mishra said Odisha accounted for around 44 per cent of India’s mineral resources and alleged that the amendment had taken away powers of the state in mining matters.

BJD leader Sujata Rout Karthikeyan said Odisha had a constitutional right to derive revenue from its mineral wealth and recalled the state’s legal battle over mineral taxation, culminating in a 2024 Supreme Court judgment. She alleged that the 2026 amendment had deprived the state of potential revenues running into thousands of crores.

The BJD also criticised Odisha BJP leaders who supported the legislation in Parliament and said the party would continue its agitation until the Act was repealed.

The Lok Sabha passed the MMDR Amendment Bill on August 12. The Centre has said the amendment is aimed at facilitating exploration and development of critical and strategic minerals and providing greater flexibility to mining lease holders.

The Union ministry of mines has maintained that the amendment does not dilute states’ rights over land and minerals or their power to levy mineral taxes. It has said nearly 90 per cent of taxes and statutory payments from mining currently accrue to states and that this arrangement will continue.

The government has argued that the amendments seek to provide greater certainty to the mining sector, attract investment and strengthen domestic mineral security.

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