Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Abhibhabak Mahasangha (OAM), also known as the Odisha Parents’ Federation, has announced that it will launch an agitation on August 17 over alleged errors in school textbooks. The organisation said it will stage an indefinite hunger strike at Lower PMG in Bhubaneswar.

The announcement was made at a press conference, where the parents’ body expressed concern that students are still being taught from the textbooks containing errors.

Questioning the continued use of the disputed books, the federation asked what kind of future could be expected for students if they were made to learn incorrect information. It warned that the agitation would continue until the allegedly erroneous textbooks are withdrawn.

Basudev Bhatta, Chairman of the Odisha Parents’ Federation, said the organisation would intensify its protest until the government takes concrete steps to address the concerns surrounding the textbooks.

The controversy erupted after more than 1,600 errors were reportedly detected in newly published textbooks for Classes I to VIII. The issue triggered criticism from opposition parties, educationists, parents and other stakeholders, with questions being raised over quality control in the preparation and publication of school textbooks.

Following the controversy, the state government suspended former SCERT Director Manoj Kumar Padhy and Assistant Directors Pralipta Mishra, Dilip Kumar Sahu and Bharati Tudu. The action was based on the findings of a high-level inquiry committee headed by Development Commissioner D.K. Singh.

The Crime Branch subsequently arrested Padhy after prolonged questioning over alleged lapses in the publication of textbooks for Classes I to VIII.

The state government has also initiated disciplinary proceedings against six other Assistant Directors—Bandita Pattnaik, Manas Ranjan Rout, Manoranjan Mahapatra, Prashant Kumar Sahu, Manas Kumar Nayak and Dr Sudarshan Santara.

The Crime Branch began its investigation following directions from the Chief Minister and a written complaint filed by SCERT Director Madhusmita Sahu.

For a detailed probe, the Crime Branch constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the supervision of the Crime Branch Superintendent of Police. DSP Narendra Kumar Behera has been appointed as the Investigating Officer.

The Crime Branch investigation is continuing to establish responsibility for the alleged lapses, while further questioning of officials associated with the textbook publication process is expected.