The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has expanded its School Thik Karo initiative to Odisha, where its leadership is undertaking an inspection drive. This move is part of their larger campaign to advocate for changes in state education policy. The development occurs concurrently with heightened protests led by the Nabnirman Yuva Chhatra Sangathan (NYCS), which has announced plans to surround the Odisha Assembly in response to ongoing concerns about school textbooks.

CJP co-convenor Saurav Das arrived in Bhubaneswar on September 22, 2026, supporting students who have voiced grievances about inaccuracies in the state’s educational materials. In his statements, Das emphasised the need for accountability, specifically calling for the resignation of Minister for School and Mass Education Nityananda Gond, citing significant errors in textbooks as a primary concern.

The controversy surrounding Odisha’s textbooks has been escalating for months, with authorities identifying 1,678 factual, typographical, and printing mistakes across various subjects for students in Classes I to VIII. In response, the Odisha government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, has suspended several officials and begun overhauling the textbook review process.

CJP’s Support for Student Protests

Das’s visit to the state also included interactions with protesters affiliated with the NYCS, who are aggressively advocating for education reform and advocating for Gond’s resignation. He conducted site visits at three schools in the Bhubaneswar area, expressing concerns over inadequate hygiene and deteriorating infrastructure. These issues, he noted, are among the reasons why many young girls drop out of education.

The NYCS, associated with the Naba Nirman Krushak Sangathan (NNKS), has been actively involved in the protests that intensified on August 20, 2026. By September 21, demonstrators had been rallying for over a month. The group’s leader, Akshaya Kumar, has been on a hunger strike since September 5 to demand accountability for the errors in school textbooks.

Das’s participation signifies the CJP’s commitment to join forces with the NYCS in their fight for educational reforms. He underscored the financial implications of the recent flaws, noting that Rs 380 crore had been allocated for textbook printing, which has raised allegations of mismanagement. The opposition party Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has even called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into potential discrepancies.

Government’s Response to Textbook Controversy

While the protests have generated considerable public attention, the Odisha government has recognised the substantial issues related to the textbooks. Minister Gond previously stated that further actions would be taken against those accountable after conducting a detailed inquiry. The government’s response has included the suspension of four officials involved and the initiation of disciplinary measures against six others.

In efforts to rectify the situation, the government has accepted recommendations for improving the textbook review process, which include establishing a quality assurance cell and a proofreading system. Reports indicate that the distribution of revised textbooks has commenced, but this has not alleviated the pressure on the Majhi administration.

As the political spotlight intensifies, the CJP and Das continue to call for transparency and accountability within the Odisha government. With protests coinciding with the commencement of the Assembly’s Monsoon Session, the situation remains fluid as various parties navigate their strategies amidst public outcry.

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