Odisha Assembly Stalls as Opposition Protests Over Textbook Errors and Mines Law

Overview

• The Assembly managed just 13 minutes of formal business after Opposition MLAs repeatedly rushed the well and forced multiple adjournments.
• Biju Janata Dal demanded the resignation of School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond over error-filled textbooks that were distributed for the current academic year.
• The state government says corrected textbooks are being distributed, but critics note much of the school year has already passed and students faced wrong content in class.
• Congress raised objections to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026, saying the federal change limits state control over mineral resources and could cut state revenue.
• The protests have moved from the House to an Assembly gherao and street demonstrations, creating a test of the Mohan Majhi government’s ability to pass six planned bills and manage federal-state tensions over mining and education.