# INDIA bloc calls Odisha bandh on October 8 over mining law 2026-09-29T16:11:36+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 2 independent outlets The INDIA bloc has called a statewide bandh in Odisha on October 8, 2026, demanding the repeal of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026. The opposition alliance also wants the resignation of School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond over textbook errors and the resignation and arrest of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision exercise. Hundreds of workers and leaders from Congress, CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML) Liberation, Forward Bloc, NCP, Samajwadi Party and RJD demonstrated near Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi's residence in Bhubaneswar after the Assembly was adjourned sine die. Protesters clashed with police when stopped from marching. The bloc claims Odisha will lose about Rs 1 lakh crore and Rs 12,000 crore annually under the new mining law. A separate demonstration is planned in Keonjhar district on October 7. Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal criticised the Congress, saying it opposes every government initiative. The bandh is scheduled for October 8. ## Indian Opinion Analysis Both The Hindu and The New Indian Express report the same events with near-identical facts, quotes, and framing, a straight, neutral account of the INDIA bloc's bandh call and protest. Neither outlet introduces its own judgement, editorialises, or questions either side's claims. The coverage is uniform wire-style reporting with no discernible slant. The practical implication is that this story is treated as a local political event to be covered factually, not as a national controversy requiring opposing sources or investigation. The bandh on October 8 and the Keonjhar rally on October 7 are the concrete next steps to watch. ## Coverage - thehindu.com (neutral report) Leads with bandh announcement, attributes all claims to INDIA bloc without questioning, includes BJP's rebuttal - newindianexpress.com (neutral report) Same facts and quotes as The Hindu, no independent analysis or slant Tags: Bhakta Charan Das, INDIA bloc, Mines and Minerals Amendment Act 2026, Mohan Charan Majhi, Odisha Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/india-bloc-calls-odisha-bandh-on-october-8-over-mining-law/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/india-bloc-calls-odisha-bandh-on-october-8-over-mining-law/#story-in-brief