Bhubaneswar, Sep 22: The opening day of the Monsoon Session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly witnessed disruptions on Tuesday as Opposition BJD and Congress MLAs protested over errors in newly distributed school textbooks and the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026. The protests forced Speaker Surama Padhy to adjourn the House twice.

BJD members demanded accountability over the reported textbook errors and sought the resignation of School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond. Congress legislators, meanwhile, raised objections to the MMDR Amendment Act and demanded that the legislation be withdrawn.

The session began with obituary references to six former members of the Assembly and people who lost their lives in the recent flash floods in Nepal. After the House proceeded to Question Hour, BJD and Congress members entered the Well carrying placards and raising slogans over the two issues.

Despite repeated appeals from the Speaker to return to their seats and allow the proceedings to continue, the Opposition members continued their protests. The House was first adjourned until 1.10 pm and later until 4 pm.

Following the adjournment, BJD legislators joined a protest by the party’s youth and student wings near the Assembly, where demonstrators were demanding the resignation of Minister Nityananda Gond over the textbook controversy.

BJD chief whip Pramila Mallik said the party would continue to raise the issue in the House. The ruling BJP criticised the disruption, with MLA Irasish Acharya questioning the Opposition’s approach to Assembly proceedings.

The nine-day Monsoon Session is scheduled to continue until October 3, with several legislative and public-interest issues expected to be discussed.

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