Opposition Uproar Disrupts First Day of Odisha Assembly Monsoon Session
BJD and Congress MLAs protest textbook errors and the MMDR Amendment Act as repeated disruptions force multiple adjournments.
BHUBANESWAR: The monsoon session of the Odisha Assembly witnessed repeated disruptions on its opening day as BJD and Congress MLAs entered the well of the House, protesting over errors in school textbooks and opposing the MMDR Amendment Act, 2026.
The session opened with obituary references for six former legislators and those who lost their lives in the recent flash floods in Nepal. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi moved the motion, recalling former ministers Dambarudhar Majhi and Sushant Singh, former chief whip Satya Bhusan Sahu and other former members.
Trouble began with the start of Question Hour, when BJD and Congress legislators moved into the well and raised slogans against the BJP-led government. BJD members highlighted alleged mistakes in textbooks meant for students from Classes I to VIII, while Congress MLAs demanded the withdrawal of the MMDR Amendment Act.
Speaker Surama Padhy appealed several times to the protesting members to return to their seats. With the Opposition continuing its demonstration, she adjourned the House until 1.10 pm.
Following the adjournment, BJD legislators joined an agitation on Mahatma Gandhi Marg organised by the party’s youth and student wings. The protesters sought the resignation of School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond, holding him responsible for the distribution of textbooks containing errors.
BJD chief whip Pramila Mallick said the minister should be held accountable for the lapses and demanded his resignation.
When the Assembly resumed, Opposition members again entered the well and continued their protests. Deputy Speaker Bhabani Shankar Bhoi subsequently adjourned the proceedings until 4 pm.
The disruption continued after the House reconvened, with slogan-shouting preventing normal proceedings. The Assembly was eventually adjourned for the day and will meet again on Wednesday.
BJP MLA Irasish Acharya criticised the Opposition for disrupting the session from its opening day. He said the government had already taken steps to address the textbook issue and that corrected books were being distributed to students.
