Nabarangpur: A political storm has erupted in Odisha over alleged errors in school textbooks under the School and Mass Education Department, with the Nabarangpur District Congress demanding the resignation of Education Minister Nityananda Gond.

Addressing a press conference at the district Congress office, Nabarangpur District Congress President Lipika Majhi alleged more than 2,000 errors have been identified in school textbooks, adversely impacting the academic future of students.

She criticised the minister for not accepting responsibility or stepping down, stating the issue has brought disrepute to the state at the national level. Majhi further alleged Gond, who represents the Umerkote Assembly constituency in the district, has “insulted the dignity of Nabarangpur” by refusing to resign.

As part of the protest, the district Congress has called for a 12-hour bandh in Nabarangpur on July 1. Party workers will also gherao the minister’s residence in Umerkote at 4 PM a day prior, demanding his immediate resignation.

Essential services, including ambulances, medicine shops, and emergency vehicles, will remain exempt from the bandh.

The controversy has intensified political tensions in the region, with Opposition parties mounting pressure on the government for accountability and corrective measures in the education system.

Meanwhile, Minister Gond stated earlier in the day withdrawing all textbooks with errors and replacing them with fresh copies is not feasible. Instead, the government will provide corrected versions of the affected portions to schools across the state.

He added that a high-level committee had been constituted to investigate the issue, following which corrective action was initiated. Revised copies will be sent to schools and District Education Officers (DEOs), and students will continue their studies using these along with the existing textbooks.