BJD Intensifies Protest Against MMDR Act, Announces Mass Dharna at Odisha Lok Bhavan
The Odisha unit of the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has intensified its agitation against the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026, announcing a mass dharna outside the Lok Bhavan in Bhubaneswar on September 9.
The party will demand the immediate withdrawal of the new mining legislation and submit a memorandum addressed to the President through the Odisha Governor.
BJD Seeks Special Assembly Session
Addressing a press conference in Bhubaneswar, BJD senior vice-president Debi Prasad Mishra said party leaders and workers would participate in the September 9 demonstration.
The BJD will also urge the Governor to exercise powers under Article 174 of the Constitution and convene a special session of the Odisha Assembly to facilitate a detailed discussion on the legislation.
Mishra alleged that the Act was passed in Parliament in haste without adequate discussion.
The amendment seeks changes to the regulatory framework governing mines and minerals, including provisions restricting states from imposing additional taxes on mineral rights.
The BJD also plans to seek the Governor’s intervention under Article 244(1) and the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution, arguing that these provisions require protection of the interests of tribal communities, particularly those living in mining areas.
According to Mishra, the party will organise demonstrations at various locations across Odisha as part of its campaign against the legislation.
BJD Claims Odisha Could Lose Mining Revenue
Mishra said BJD president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik had earlier written to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi seeking a special Assembly session to debate the new law.
Patnaik had also written to BJP MPs from Odisha, urging them to raise their voice against what he described as the “injustice meted out to Odisha” through the legislation.
Mishra alleged that neither the Chief Minister responded to Patnaik’s letter nor did the BJP MPs take up the issue.
The BJD, in its statement, claimed that the amended law could result in Odisha losing around Rs 1 lakh crore in outstanding dues and approximately Rs 12,000 crore in annual mining revenue.
INDIA Bloc Announces Wider Agitation
Meanwhile, opposition parties forming the INDIA bloc in Odisha—including the Congress, CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML) Liberation, Forward Bloc, NCP and Samajwadi Party—also announced plans to intensify their campaign against the mining legislation.
Representatives of the parties met at Congress Bhawan in Bhubaneswar and announced a state-level convention on the MMDR Amendment Act on Tuesday.
CPI(M) state secretary Suresh Panigrahy said the parties opposed the legislation, arguing that it was against the interests of Odisha and its people, particularly tribal communities.
The convention will discuss the possibility of an Odisha bandh and an economic blockade in mineral-rich districts.
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Bhakta Charan Das also announced a series of rallies. The INDIA bloc plans to hold demonstrations in Sundargarh on September 18, Rayagada on September 21, Keonjhar on September 24 and Angul on September 26.
The opposition alliance will additionally organise a Vidhan Sabha Gherao programme on September 29.
The ruling BJP, however, has rejected the opposition’s allegations and accused the parties of misleading people about the new mining legislation. The BJP maintained that the amended law would be beneficial for Odisha.
with inputs from PTI
