The Odisha Congress has called for a statewide bandh tomorrow, October 8, raising a series of demands including resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, withdrawal of the MMDR Bill, and the resignation of the state School and Mass Education Minister over alleged errors in textbooks.Several non-BJP parties, including CPI, CPI(M), CPI(ML), NCP, Forward Bloc, Samajwadi Party, RJD and JMM, are likely to extend support to the bandh.Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Bhakta Charan Das had announced the bandh in Bhubaneswar on September 29. The bandh could affect normal life across the state, particularly transport and commercial activities.The Congress has called for suspension of truck, bus, autorickshaw and other vehicular movement during the bandh. Train services may also face disruption as protesters take to the streets.The shutdown could also affect the functioning of government and private offices.Shops, markets and commercial establishments may remain closed during the bandh. Petrol pumps and other business establishments could also face disruption.Meanwhile, the Congress has urged the general public to support the bandh and participate in the protest over the issues raised by the party.With several political parties are likely to extend support, the bandh may have a significant impact on routine activities in different parts of Odisha.“Tomorrow, October 8, railway, bus and other transport services will remain closed as part of the bandh. Only medical stores and hospitals will remain open for the public. Students of Classes 8 and 9 who are scheduled to appear for examinations tomorrow will not be affected by the bandh, allowing them to take their exams peacefully. We have pledged to the people that the bandh will be conducted in a non-violent and peaceful manner, and we have taken this decision to ensure its success,” said Congress leader Santosh Singh Saluja.Emergency Services Exempted.The Congress, however, has kept essential and emergency services outside the ambit of the bandh.“We appeal to the citizens who love Odisha, believe in the Constitution and want to protect the republic to come forward and support the bandh. If the BJD or any other political party comes forward to support this cause, we will welcome them, because this is a fight for the interests of Odisha. On behalf of the INDIA Bloc, we appeal to everyone to ensure that the bandh is conducted peacefully. We are fighting for four key interests, and this struggle will continue until we achieve our objective. We are doing this to protect the interests of Odisha,” said Prashant Mishra, State Secretary, CPI(M).Hospitals, ambulance services, fire services and medicine shops will continue to operate. Other essential and emergency services will also remain functional during the shutdown.
Odisha Bandh Tomorrow: What Remains Open and What Closes on October 8
