TV
Amid the statewide bandh on Thursday led by Congress and seven other opposition parties demanding justice in the Balasore student death case, mounting scenes of chaos and distress unfolded across Odisha.
While the bandh was called to highlight a serious issue, many residents, including the sick, students, and daily wage earners, found themselves caught in a web of road blockades and unyielding protest actions.
Humanitarian Appeals Ignored on the Ground
In one of the most striking scenes from Bhubaneswar, a 60-year-old man, visibly distressed, was reportedly stopped by protesters while trying to make his way to donate blood for a critical patient suffering from a severe blood disorder.
“I am a 60-year-old. Why would I come out on the roads during a strike if it were not a genuine cause? There is a patient whose blood cells are not forming. He has already received six vials of blood, but his condition is not improving. I have to donate blood and look after him immediately. If I do not reach in time, he will die,” the man said to media persons.
Though briefly allowed to pass, he was confronted again. As he started his two-wheeler, a protester threw himself in front of the vehicle, shouting, “We cannot allow everyone to pass with a medical excuse.” The demonstrator refused to believe the elderly man's urgent need, bringing traffic to a standstill again.
Disruption to Exams and Daily Work
In another troubling case, a college lecturer was blocked near Rasulgarh in the capital city despite clarifying that he was assigned duty at an examination centre for an All-India competitive exam.
Similar reports emerged from various parts of the state, including Koraput, where students trying to reach their ITI exam centres were stranded due to roadblocks. They were left with no option but to walk long distances.
Employees in the private sector were among those worst hit. In Rourkela, several workers expressed frustration over not being able to reach their workplaces, citing loss of wages and job insecurity. “I condemn what happened in Balasore,” said one woman commuter, “but how can these protests help? Denying even genuine commuters from passing is not a solution.”
Political Defence and Public Dissonance
Despite the backlash, Congress leaders stood by their method of protest. Sunita Biswal, a prominent face who recently rejoined the party, claimed that the bandh was voluntary and widely supported.
“You can see that schools and colleges have stayed shut. Buses and vehicles are staying off the road. We have not compelled anyone. We simply requested, and people have shown their support,” she claimed.
