Bhubaneswar, Sep 29: The INDIA bloc on Tuesday announced a statewide Odisha bandh on October 8, demanding withdrawal of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026. The announcement was made during a demonstration by leaders and workers of alliance partners near Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s residence in Bhubaneswar.

Hundreds of workers and leaders of the Congress, CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML) Liberation, Forward Bloc, NCP, Samajwadi Party and RJD participated in the protest. The protesters had initially planned to gherao the Odisha Assembly but changed their programme after the Monsoon Session was adjourned sine die a day earlier.

Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das announced the bandh during the demonstration and appealed to people and other INDIA bloc constituents to support the statewide agitation. He said the campaign against the amended MMDR Act would continue and that the October 8 bandh would follow a protest programme in Kendujhar.

Das alleged that the amendment was against Odisha’s interests and said the Congress would continue its agitation demanding withdrawal of the legislation. He also urged political parties associated with the INDIA bloc to participate in the bandh.

The announcement comes amid continued Opposition protests over the MMDR Amendment Act, both inside and outside the Odisha Assembly. The Opposition parties have raised concerns over the legislation’s implications for the state’s mineral resources and revenue, while the ruling side has disputed their claims.

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