The Congress-led INDIA bloc launched statewide street protests in Odisha on Monday, 25 August against the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, commonly referred to as the MMDR Amendment Act, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central and state governments of stripping Odisha of its mineral wealth and sovereign revenue. The decision to mobilise was formalised at a multi-party INDIA bloc meeting held in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.

Protests and Rallies Across Odisha

The alliance has planned rallies and torchlight processions across the state to build public awareness about what it describes as the damaging consequences of the legislation. Opposition leaders allege the amendment effectively transfers control of Odisha's mines and mineral resources from the state to the Centre, threatening both local livelihoods and state finances.

Notably, the agitation is being organised from the state capital down to the panchayat level. Senior Congress leaders have also announced that the residences of BJP Members of Parliament will be 'gheraoed' in the coming days as the movement escalates.

Revenue Loss and Core Allegations

Former MLA and Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee Vice-President (Organisation) Santosh Singh Saluja said the state stands to lose approximately ₹10,000 crore in annual revenue following the passage of the Bill, with outstanding revenue losses potentially running into lakhs of crores of rupees.

Saluja alleged that the BJP government, which came to power invoking the slogan of 'Odia Asmita' (Odia pride), was effectively handing over Odisha's water, forests, land, mines, and mineral resources to the Central government. 'After coming to power in the name of Odia Asmita, the government was handing over all of Odisha's wealth and resources, including water, forests, land, mines and mineral resources, to the Central government,' he said.

Demand for Special Assembly Session Rejected

The Congress Legislature Party had on Saturday met Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati and Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy, urging that a special session of the state Assembly be convened to deliberate on the MMDR Bill. The demand was rejected by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling, a move Congress leaders called 'highly unfortunate.'

The Congress said it has already drawn up a comprehensive agitation strategy under the leadership of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee President Bhakta Charan Das.

Odisha Bandh Warning for September

In a significant escalation warning, INDIA bloc parties have put the Odisha government on notice: if the MMDR Bill is not withdrawn, the alliance will call for an 'Odisha Bandh' — a statewide shutdown — in September. A Bandh of this scale would mark one of the most disruptive political actions in the state since the BJP assumed power in Odisha earlier this year.

With the opposition mobilising from the grassroots upward and a Bandh threat looming, the BJP government in Odisha faces its first major organised street challenge over a legislative decision.