Odisha Bandh Over School Textbook Errors: Protesters Demand Minister Nityananda Gond’s Resignation
Bhubaneswar: A 12-hour statewide bandh was observed in Odisha on September 30 over alleged large-scale errors in government school textbooks. The protest was called by the Naba Nirman Krushak Sangathan (NNKS) and Naba Nirman Yuva Chhatra Sangathan (NYCS), with protesters demanding accountability and the resignation of School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond.
1,741 Errors Detected in School Textbooks
The controversy intensified after the state government disclosed that 1,741 errors had been identified in textbooks for Classes I to VIII for the 2026–27 academic year.
According to information presented by Minister Nityananda Gond in the Odisha Assembly, the errors include factual, conceptual, grammatical, typographical and spelling mistakes. The highest number of errors—707—were found in Class VIII textbooks, including 294 in the Science textbook.
Protesters Demand Minister’s Resignation
The protesting organisations have been demanding that the School and Mass Education Minister take responsibility for the textbook errors and resign.
The issue has also been raised by opposition parties in the Odisha Assembly, where BJD and Congress members have demanded the minister’s resignation over the textbook controversy.
The protesters have also sought corrective action to ensure that students receive error-free educational material.
12-Hour Statewide Bandh
The bandh began at 6 am and continued until 6 pm on September 30. Protesters staged demonstrations and road blockades at several locations across the state.
In Bhubaneswar, members of NNKS and NYCS blocked roads near Baramunda bus stand, Hi-Tech Square and Master Canteen. Similar protests and temporary disruptions were reported in parts of Khurda, Balasore, Jagatsinghpur and other districts.
However, the impact of the bandh varied across the state. Reports said private vehicles continued to operate in many places, while several buses remained off the roads for part of the day. Shops, businesses and educational institutions were largely unaffected in Bhubaneswar.
Police Maintain Security
Police were deployed at important locations to prevent disruption and maintain law and order. A few protesters were detained in Bhubaneswar after allegedly attempting to block roads.
According to the Bhubaneswar DCP, the capital city remained largely normal and there was no major disruption to daily life.
Government Begins Corrective Measures
The Odisha government has already initiated measures to address the textbook issue. Revised textbooks incorporating corrections have begun to be distributed to students in Classes I to VIII.
The government has also taken administrative action against officials associated with the textbook preparation process. The Directorate of Teacher Education and SCERT have been held primarily responsible for review and oversight lapses by a high-level committee.
The government has said that corrigenda have been sent to schools and that corrected textbooks are being distributed.
PMO Also Directs Action on Textbook Complaint
The controversy has also drawn attention at the national level. The Prime Minister’s Office has reportedly directed the Odisha government to take appropriate action on a complaint concerning irregularities in textbook printing.
Focus Now on Accountability and Corrective Action
The textbook controversy has developed into a wider political and public debate over quality control, accountability and the preparation of educational material for schoolchildren.
While protesters continue to demand the resignation of the School and Mass Education Minister, the government has started the process of correcting and replacing the affected textbooks.
The immediate focus now remains on ensuring that corrected textbooks reach students and that responsibility for the errors is determined through the ongoing administrative and investigative processes.
