Accusing the state government of completely derailing Odisha’s school education system through error-riddled textbooks, the Biju Janata Dal has decided to intensify its agitation demanding the resignation of School & Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond.
The party’s youth and student wings have already staged protests across 16 organisational districts. In the coming days, the stir will expand to another 17 districts with greater force. Party sources indicate that the campaign for the minister’s resignation will be escalated further, and a state-level protest meeting is also under consideration.
The Crime Branch continues its investigation into the widespread errors found in books from Classes 1 to 8, acting on government orders. However, the BJD is pressing for a clear timeline on when error-free books will reach students. While the ruling BJP has said that only the officials involved will face action, the opposition has questioned why members of the core committee and other non-officials responsible for the content are being spared.
BJD leaders have also raised serious questions about the decision to print the books outside Odisha through a Gujarat-based firm instead of utilising the state’s own printing infrastructure. They demand a full probe into whose orders led to this outsourcing and insist that the government must take full responsibility.
“The publication of these new textbooks has involved alleged corruption worth ₹380 crore. We have repeatedly demanded a CBI inquiry and the minister’s resignation through various forums. The government has failed to bring out the truth so far,” said BJD leader Arun Sahu.
With board examinations for students just two to three months away, the error-filled books have still not been withdrawn. Sahu accused the BJP government of remaining indifferent and “playing with the future of children.” Under the banner of the ‘Save Education Movement,’ the Biju Yuva and Chhatra Janata Dal continue to mount strong opposition across the state, keeping pressure on the government over the textbook controversy.
