MMDR Amendment Act: BJD calls mass protest in Bhubaneswar on September 28
Synopsis
BJD is calling Odisha to the streets on 28 September over the MMDR Amendment Act 2026, which the party says cost the state a Supreme Court-backed windfall of ₹1 lakh crore in mineral dues. With Naveen Patnaik leading the rally and Congress staging a separate gherao the next day, the ruling dispensation faces a coordinated, cross-party offensive that has already paralysed the Monsoon session.
Key Takeaways
BJD has called a mass protest at Lower PMG, Bhubaneswar on 28 September 2026 against the MMDR Amendment Act, 2026 .
BJD President and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is scheduled to address the rally, which begins at 10 am .
BJD alleges the Act nullified a Supreme Court order of 25 July 2024 that would have entitled Odisha to ₹1 lakh crore in arrears and ₹12,000 crore in additional annual revenue.
The Congress-led INDIA bloc is set to stage a separate Odisha Assembly gherao in Bhubaneswar on 29 September on the same issue.
Both Congress and BJD have been disrupting the Monsoon session of the Odisha Assembly over the Act, causing repeated adjournments.
The Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Sunday, 27 September 2026, appealed to the people of Odisha to participate in a large-scale protest outside the Legislative Assembly on Monday, 28 September, demanding the repeal of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026. The party has been opposing the legislation since its passage in Parliament, arguing it strips states of their rightful control over mineral resources.
What BJD Alleges Against the MMDR Amendment
Addressing media, BJD spokesperson and media coordinator Lenin Mohanty said the MMDR Amendment Act has effectively taken away states' rights over mines and mineral-bearing land. He pointed to a landmark Supreme Court order dated 25 July 2024, which had held that states were empowered to levy taxes and levies on mines and mineral-bearing land and could recover dues retrospectively from 2005.
According to Mohanty, the Supreme Court ruling had opened the door for Odisha to recover approximately ₹1 lakh crore in arrears and earn an additional ₹12,000 crore in increased revenue annually. He alleged that the MMDR Amendment Act has effectively nullified this financial opportunity for the state.
'Therefore, demanding the withdrawal of this anti-state black law, the BJD will organise a massive protest at Lower PMG on September 28. It will begin at 10 am. BJD President and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will attend the programme and address the people present,' Mohanty said.
Naveen Patnaik to Lead the Demonstration
The rally at Lower PMG, Bhubaneswar, is set to be a significant show of strength for the regional party, with BJD President Naveen Patnaik — who served as Chief Minister of Odisha for 24 years — expected to personally address supporters. Mohanty urged citizens to turn out in large numbers to protect the financial interests of the state.
The BJD had earlier announced a statewide agitation and an economic blockade across Odisha to press its demand for the immediate repeal of the Act. Monday's rally marks an escalation of those efforts.
Broader Opposition Closes Ranks
The BJD is not alone in its opposition. The Congress-led INDIA bloc is separately scheduled to stage an Odisha Assembly gherao protest in Bhubaneswar on 29 September against the same legislation. Both Congress and BJD have been disrupting proceedings inside the Assembly since the start of the Monsoon session, with repeated adjournments of the House resulting from their protests.
This comes amid mounting pressure on the Odisha state government, as the Opposition — cutting across party lines — shows no sign of retreating on the issue. The MMDR Amendment Act has become one of the most contentious pieces of legislation in the state's current political landscape.
What Happens Next
With protests lined up on both 28 and 29 September, the state government faces a politically charged week. The Assembly's ability to function during this period remains in doubt, given the pattern of disruptions that has already marked the Monsoon session. How the ruling party responds to the coordinated pressure from BJD and Congress will likely define the political tenor of the coming weeks in Odisha.
Point of View
Now in Opposition after losing power, is deploying this issue to rebuild its street presence and signal to voters that it remains Odisha's economic guardian. What is notable is the cross-party convergence — BJD and Congress, historic rivals in the state, are effectively running parallel pressure campaigns on the same law. The ruling party faces a structural problem: either it defends a central act that can be framed as costing Odisha a fortune, or it distances itself from the Centre and invites its own complications. Neither exit is clean.
NationPress
28 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MMDR Amendment Act 2026 and why is BJD opposing it?
The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026 is a central legislation that, according to the BJD, strips states of their rights over mines and mineral-bearing land. BJD argues it nullified a Supreme Court order from 25 July 2024, which had authorised Odisha to collect ₹1 lakh crore in retrospective mineral dues from 2005 and earn ₹12,000 crore more in annual revenue.
When and where is the BJD protest taking place?
The BJD protest is scheduled for 28 September 2026 at Lower PMG in Bhubaneswar, beginning at 10 am. BJD President and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is expected to address the gathering.
What did the Supreme Court rule about state mineral rights?
In its order dated 25 July 2024, the Supreme Court held that states have the power to levy taxes and levies on mines and mineral-bearing land and can recover dues retrospectively from 2005. According to BJD, this ruling had created a financial opportunity of ₹1 lakh crore in arrears for Odisha alone, which it says the MMDR Amendment Act has since negated.
Is any other party protesting against the MMDR Amendment Act in Odisha?
Yes. The Congress-led INDIA bloc is separately planning an Odisha Assembly gherao protest in Bhubaneswar on 29 September 2026 against the same legislation. Both Congress and BJD have also been disrupting the Monsoon session of the Odisha Assembly, causing repeated adjournments.
How has the MMDR Amendment Act affected the Odisha Assembly session?
The MMDR Amendment Act has triggered sustained disruptions in the Odisha Legislative Assembly since the beginning of the Monsoon session, with Opposition members from both BJD and Congress protesting inside the House and causing repeated adjournments. The issue has become one of the most politically charged disputes in the state.
