Odisha Faces Two Bandhs Over MMDR Act, Textbook Row
Congress and Naba Nirman Krushak Sangathan seek withdrawal of amended MMDR Act and resignation of CEO Gyanesh Kumar
Bhubaneswar: Odisha is set to witness two separate statewide bandhs over the coming days, with the Opposition Congress and farmers’ outfit Naba Nirman Krushak Sangathan (NNKS) announcing shutdowns over the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Amendment Act, 2026, and alleged irregularities in government textbooks.
The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) on Tuesday called for a statewide bandh on October 8 to protest the MMDR Amendment Act, 2026, and to press for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Odisha school and mass education minister Nityananda Gond.
PCC president Bhakta Charan Das appealed to constituents of the INDIA bloc to support the bandh and join the protest.
The Congress has also announced a seven-day “economic blockade” as part of its agitation against the MMDR amendment. The party has called for a halt to mining, mineral extraction and transportation of minerals across the State during the proposed blockade.
The Congress has been demanding withdrawal of the amendment, alleging that the changes undermine Odisha’s interests and could affect the State’s mineral-related revenues.
Separately, the NNKS has called for a statewide bandh on September 30, demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in government-issued textbooks and the resignation of minister Nityananda Gond.
The organisation has appealed to people across the State to support the bandh and ensure its success.
Shops, markets, commercial establishments and other private establishments are expected to remain closed during the shutdowns. Public transport services, including buses, may also be affected.
Essential services, including hospitals, ambulances, pharmacies, fire services and other emergency services, are expected to remain operational.
The twin bandh calls come against the backdrop of heightened political tensions in Odisha over the MMDR amendment and the controversy surrounding alleged errors and irregularities in school textbooks.
