JAJAPUR,08/10(PPT): The State-wide bandh called by the Congress and the INDIA bloc on Thursday evoked protests in several parts of Odisha, with Opposition parties raising objections to the proposed mining law, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and alleged errors in school textbooks. At Jaraka in Jajapur district, AICC member and Congress woman leader Madhusmita Acharya joined party workers in the bandh and took part in the protest on National Highway 16.
The bandh was preceded by torch rallies and mobilisation programmes organised by the Odisha Congress in different parts of the State. Congress leaders said the demonstrations were intended to draw public attention to what they described as serious concerns relating to democratic institutions, electoral processes, mining policy and the education system. The INDIA bloc constituents extended support to the shutdown and appealed to people to participate in the protest peacefully.
At Jaraka, Ms. Acharya led the local protest along with Congress workers and supporters. Raising slogans against the policies being opposed by the Opposition, the protesters assembled near the National Highway and sought the intervention of the government on the issues raised by the Congress. The participation of Ms. Acharya gave an added political thrust to the protest in the Jajpur region.
Speaking during the programme, Ms. Acharya said the bandh was intended to send a strong message to the government that issues concerning democracy, people’s rights and the future of students could not be ignored. She said the Congress would continue to raise such issues through democratic and constitutional means.
“The protest is not merely a political programme. It is a collective voice against policies and decisions that affect the common people. We will continue to raise these issues through democratic and peaceful means,” Ms. Acharya said.
Congress leaders alleged that the proposed mining legislation could have wider implications for the management and use of mineral resources and demanded that the concerns of affected communities and other stakeholders be addressed. They also criticised the SIR exercise, arguing that any revision of electoral rolls should be transparent and should not result in genuine voters being left out of the electoral process.
The Opposition also used the bandh to highlight alleged errors in school textbooks. Congress leaders demanded accountability for inaccuracies in educational material and urged the authorities to ensure that textbooks supplied to students were factually accurate and properly scrutinised before publication.
The bandh had the potential to affect road transport, business establishments and other normal activities in several districts. In Jajapur, protesters gathered at different points and sought to persuade traders, transport operators and members of the public to support the shutdown. At Jaraka, the presence of protesters along the NH-16 brought the political issues raised by the Congress into sharp public focus.
The police had made elaborate security arrangements across the State, particularly in the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack region, to maintain law and order during the shutdown. Additional personnel were deployed at sensitive locations, major junctions, transport hubs and other vulnerable points. Police officials also kept a close watch on possible road blockades and attempts to disrupt essential services.
The administration and police appealed to political workers and protesters to maintain peace and ensure that emergency services were not affected. Security personnel were directed to respond to any situation arising from demonstrations while facilitating the peaceful exercise of the right to protest.
The Congress and other INDIA bloc parties maintained that the bandh was part of their wider campaign to highlight issues they consider important to the people of Odisha. Party leaders said they would continue their agitation until the government addressed their concerns over the mining law, SIR and the alleged textbook errors.
With Ms. Acharya’s participation at Jaraka, the bandh also assumed significance in Jajpur, where Congress workers used the occasion to strengthen their organisational presence and mobilise public support. The Opposition leaders said the protest would continue to remain peaceful but asserted that the party would intensify its democratic campaign on issues affecting voters, students and the wider public.