INDIA bloc announces Odisha bandh on October 8 over new mining law, other issues
The INDIA bloc has called for a statewide bandh in Odisha on October 8 to protest against the new mining law and other government policies. The announcement followed a demonstration near the Chief Minister's residence.
Why it matters
This represents a significant escalation in political opposition in Odisha, signaling potential civil unrest and policy challenges for the state government.
The INDIA bloc on Tuesday (September 29, 2026) announced an Odisha bandh on October 8, 2026, to demand the repeal of the new mining law and two other issues, as members of the alliance staged a demonstration near Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi's residence in Bhubaneswar.
Hundreds of workers and leaders of bloc partners, including the Congress, the CPI(M), the CPI, the CPI(ML) Liberation, the Forward Bloc, the NCP, the Samajwadi Party and the RJD, took part in the rally.
The protesters had earlier planned to gherao the Assembly but shifted their focus to the Chief Minister's residence after the Monsoon Session was adjourned sine die a day earlier, on Monday (September 28, 2026).
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