Odisha bandh on January 28: Congress backs farmers’ protest, BJP calls it ‘fake movement’

The Navnirman Krushak Sangathan (NNKS) has called for an eight-hour Odisha bandh on Wednesday, January 28, from 6 am to 2 pm, to protest alleged irregularities in paddy procurement, the imposition of heavy fines under the Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) system, and what it described as arbitrary actions by Tata Power over electricity tariffs.

The farmers’ organisation said the bandh was intended to highlight the hardships faced by farmers and the general public due to administrative lapses and rising costs. Normal life in several parts of the state is expected to be affected during the shutdown period.

“We will observe an Odisha bandh on January 28 from 6 am to 2 pm in protest against irregularities in mandis, the PUCC system, and the installation of smart meters by Tata Power. Farmers were allegedly assaulted during a protest even in the presence of the Deputy Chief Minister. However, emergency services will remain operational,” said Akshay Kumar, National Coordinator of the Navnirman Krushak Sangathan.

The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) has extended its support to the bandh. OPCC president Bhakta Charan Das said all district Congress committees have been instructed to support the shutdown and participate in the protest in a peaceful manner.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strongly criticised the bandh call, terming it a “fake farmers’ movement.” BJP spokesperson Manoj Mahapatra alleged that the Navnirman Krushak Sangathan lacks grassroots support and claimed that the Congress, unable to mobilise people independently, is using the farmers’ organisation as a proxy.

Mahapatra further alleged that leaders of the outfit have little understanding of agriculture and cannot distinguish between paddy and husk. He said farmers were demoralised during the previous BJD government, while middlemen and brokers benefited.

Also Read: Major setback for Odisha Congress: 41 workers, supporters of expelled leader Mohammed Moquim quit party

Claiming that farmers are now encouraged under the Mohan Majhi-led BJP government, Mahapatra said the bandh would have little impact across the state.