Bhubaneswar: The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has thrown its weight behind the ongoing agitation over alleged errors in Odisha’s school textbooks.
CJP co‑convenor Saurav Das announced his arrival in Bhubaneswar to meet protesters and those staging hunger strikes under the banner of ‘Nabnirman Yuva Chhatra Sangathan’.
“Today, I am in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, to meet protesters and those on hunger strike… Joining me is Balkrishna Shukla, our Jt. Secretary Organisation and members of Odisha CJP,” Das posted on X.
#Today, I am in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, to meet protesters and those on hunger strike under the banner of ‘Nabnirman Yuva Chhatra Sangathan’ protesting against school textbook irregularities. Joining me is Balkrishna Shukla, our Jt. Secretary Organisation and members of Odisha CJP.…
— Saurav Das (@SauravDassss) September 21, 2026
The announcement comes on the eve of a threatened gherao of the Odisha Assembly by the opposition BJD’s youth and students wings, demanding the resignation of School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond.
At a press meet on Sunday evening, Biju Yuva Janata Dal (BYJD) president Chinmay Sahu and Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD) president Ipsita Sahu accused the state government of failing to withdraw flawed textbooks for Classes I–VIII even four months after mistakes were flagged.
“If the minister does not resign, the Yuva and Chhatra BJD will sit on an indefinite day‑and‑night dharna in front of the Assembly by 22 September,” Chinmay Sahu warned.
The BJD also alleged a Rs 380‑crore scam in textbook publication, claiming the tender was awarded to a BJP leader linked to the Centre.
“The minister concerned, Nityananda Gond, is also involved in this corruption,” Ipsita Sahu charged.
Gond, however, maintained that proofreading is underway and assured corrected textbooks would be distributed soon.