By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, September 22, 2026: The twin issues of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act amendments and alleged errors in school textbooks disrupted Odisha assembly’s monsoon session got on Tuesday, with opposition protesting leading to virtual wash out the opening day’s business.

Soon after the House adopted condolence resolutions mourning former ministers Damburu Majhi and Susanta Singh, former MLAs Satya Bhusan Sahu, Ramamurti Gamango, Ayub Khan and Shibaji Majhi, as well as victims of the recent floods in Nepal, the tone in the House quickly turned turbulent.

Congress members rushed to the well of the House demanding withdrawal of the amended MMDR Act, while BJD legislators raised the issue of alleged mistakes in school textbooks. Amid noisy scenes, slogan-shouting and placard-waving by opposition members, Speaker Surama Padhy adjourned the House from 11.36 am till 1.10 pm.

When the assembly reassembled, disruptions continued, forcing another adjournment till 4 pm. The stalemate persisted through the afternoon, leaving little room for legislative business. Four Bills were introduced amid the uproar and the House was later adjourned for the day.

Meanwhile, BJD legislators staged a demonstration at Lower PMG, demanding action over the textbook controversy. The opposition remained unrelenting throughout the day, ensuring a washout of most scheduled proceedings on the opening day of the session.

Following the adjournment, BJD MLAs marched from the Assembly premises to Lower PMG, where Biju Yuva Janata Dal (BYJD) and Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD) have launched an indefinite day-and-night agitation over the textbook issue pressing for school and mass education minister Nityanand Gond’s resignation.

Addressing party workers at the protest site, senior BJD MLA Arun Kumar Sahoo accused the treasury bench of ruining students’ future and demanded accountability for the alleged errors in school textbooks.

Congress, meanwhile, kept up its attack on the amended Mines MMDR Act. Led by senior MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati, party members trooped into the well of the House carrying placards and demanding repeal of the legislation.