Bhubaneswar, Oct 22: Navnirman Krushak Sangathan on Thursday announced plans to stage protests during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Odisha on October 25, accusing the Centre and the state government of suppressing democratic rights and prioritising corporate interests over farmers, tribals and other vulnerable communities.

Addressing a press conference in Bhubaneswar, the organisation’s founder, Akshay Kumar, alleged that people opposing the transfer of land, forests, water and mineral resources to corporate houses were facing police action, false cases and prolonged detention. He described the situation as “destruction in the name of development”.

Kumar also criticised the Centre over the demand for a legal guarantee of minimum support prices (MSP) for 23 crops. Referring to the 2020-21 farmers’ agitation, he alleged that the government had failed to fulfil its commitments and claimed that more than 750 farmers had died during the protest.

On education, he questioned the delay in correcting errors reportedly identified in textbooks for Classes I to VIII, warning of consequences for students.

The organisation also expressed concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging threats to voting rights. Kumar further accused authorities of targeting dissenting voices and restricting democratic movements.

The organisation said its proposed protest would highlight these issues during the Prime Minister’s visit.

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