Odisha Bandh: Mixed Response Across State as Shutdown Observed from 6 AM to 6 PM

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha bandh has witnessed a mixed response across the state, with some areas observing the shutdown while normal activities continue in others.

In Bhubaneswar, protesters briefly staged picketing at the Baramunda Bus Stand, disrupting vehicular movement for some time. Protesters also burnt tyres on the road as part of their demonstration. Train services at railway stations, however, continued to operate normally.

In Soro, protesters staged picketing and stopped vehicular movement on the National Highway, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded on both sides of the road. Emergency services have been exempted from the bandh.

The bandh has been called by the Nabnirman Krushak Sangathan and Nabnirman Yuva Chhatra Sangathan over a six-point charter of demands. The organisations have called for the shutdown from 6 AM to 6 PM.

The bandh has primarily been called over alleged errors in school textbooks. The Nabnirman Yuva Chhatra Sangathan has alleged that 1,678 errors have been found in textbooks published for Classes 1 to 8.

According to the organisation, the errors are not limited to printing mistakes but also include several factual inaccuracies. The protesters have demanded the withdrawal of the faulty textbooks, distribution of corrected editions among students, and the resignation of School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond.

Meanwhile, the School and Mass Education Department has stated that the distribution of revised textbooks for Classes 1 to 8 has already begun after necessary corrections were made.

Police personnel have been deployed at several locations across the state to prevent any untoward incidents.

The bandh has received support from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Congress and Left parties.