A major controversy has erupted across Odisha after reports of thousands of errors in newly printed school textbooks triggered widespread anger, political protests, and calls for accountability.
Opposition parties, led by the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), have demanded the immediate resignation of School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond, accusing the government of negligence that has damaged the state’s educational reputation and Odia cultural pride.
Former education ministers and senior leaders have described the episode as an unprecedented failure. Pratap Jena, former School and Mass Education Minister and BJD leader, said earlier textbooks were printed within Odisha by reputed local publishers. The current government, he alleged, handed the work to an outside agency without proper final checks. “More than 3,000 errors are simply unacceptable. Children’s futures have been put at risk through careless decision-making. Odia culture and identity have been insulted, bringing shame to the entire state,” Jena said. He announced that the BJD would continue statewide agitations and that young protesters staging a sit-in at the Lower PMG area in Bhubaneswar would receive the party’s full support. Jena insisted the minister must resign on moral grounds or face intensified protests.
Nagendra Pradhan, another former education minister and ex-MP, pointed to deeper procedural lapses. He questioned the paper procurement process, the decision to bypass local publishers, and the absence of multi-stage proofreading. “Guidelines exist for paper quality and ink, yet they appear to have been ignored. There are allegations of large-scale irregularities and a syndicate operating behind the scenes. Odisha has never witnessed such a massive error in its history. The minister bears full responsibility and should resign,” Pradhan stated.
In contrast, former education minister Sanjeeb Sahoo noted that the state government is treating the matter seriously. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed immediate correction of the faulty books. A three-member high-level committee headed by Development Commissioner Deo Ranjan Kumar Singh has been formed, and disciplinary action has already been initiated against six assistant directors. “Firm action against those responsible is expected,” Sahoo said.
The episode has turned into a full-blown political flashpoint, with the opposition framing it as both an administrative failure and an insult to Odia asmita. As the high-level committee begins its probe and corrective measures are rolled out, pressure continues to mount on the education minister and the government to restore public confidence in the state’s school education system.
