Bhubaneswar: A 12-hour statewide bandh called by the Naba Nirman Krushak Sangathan (NNKS) over alleged errors in school textbooks was observed in Odisha on Wednesday, with protesters blocking roads at several places and demanding the resignation of School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond.
The bandh was observed from 6 am to 6 pm over a six-point charter of demands, including the resignation of the School and Mass Education Minister.
Members of the NNKS and Nabnirman Yuva Chhatra Sangathan (NYCS) staged protests at several locations across the state. In Bhubaneswar, protesters blocked the National Highway near Baramunda bus stand and burnt tyres during the demonstration.
The protesters raised slogans demanding that people across Odisha unite and sought the resignation of the School and Mass Education Minister over alleged errors in school textbooks.
The organisations claimed that the bandh received support from people across the state. Bus services were also affected in several areas during the bandh.
“All people have supported us. People across Odisha have supported the bandh and buses have also stopped running. Students have also supported us. Our education system has completely failed as there are several errors in school textbooks. That is why we are demanding the resignation of the School and Mass Education Minister,” a protester at Baramunda bus stand in Bhubaneswar said.
Protesters blocked National Highways at several places from 6 am as part of the bandh.
Emergency services, including ambulances, fire service vehicles and vehicles of the electricity department, were exempted from the bandh and allowed to operate.
