The Odisha Bandh 2026, scheduled for January 28, has been called by the Navnirman Krushak Sangathan (NNKS), a prominent farmers’ organisation, to press for key demands related to agricultural and rural welfare. The protest is set to be observed across the state from 6 am to 2 pm, with farmers urging attention to unresolved issues such as financial support, procurement reforms, and electricity policies.

Why Farmers are Protesting

The NNKS has cited several reasons for staging the bandh. Chief among their demands is the disbursement of Rs 800 per quintal as input assistance at state-run mandis, which they argue will help farmers cover costs and prevent exploitation. The organisation has also called for the elimination of middlemen and millers from the paddy procurement system, aiming to ensure that farmers receive fair prices directly for their produce.

Beyond agriculture, the NNKS has raised concerns over electricity smart meters and the steep penalties imposed on vehicle owners under pollution certificate enforcement. These issues, they claim, are adding financial stress to ordinary citizens, particularly rural households.

Another major demand is related to employment schemes. The NNKS has opposed the government’s plan to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005, with the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevija Mission (Gramin) – VB-G RAM G. They argue that the proposed replacement could undermine guaranteed employment and wages in rural areas, affecting livelihoods.

Timing and Services Affected

The Odisha Bandh will be a day-long protest running from 6 am to 2 pm, impacting several public services. While routine government offices, transport services, and markets may face disruption, essential services such as hospitals, ambulances, and pharmacies have been explicitly exempted from the bandh, according to NNKS functionaries. This ensures that emergency services and medical care remain uninterrupted for citizens during the protest.

The bandh is likely to disrupt normal traffic, transport, and day-to-day business operations, and residents are advised to plan accordingly.

Political Responses

The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) has expressed strong support for the farmers’ bandh. OPCC president Bhakta Charan Das stated that the issues raised by NNKS align with the concerns that the Congress has been advocating statewide. In his statement, he said that district-level party units have been instructed to actively support the bandh, signalling a coordinated political backing for the farmers’ protest.

In contrast, the Odisha BJP has dismissed the bandh, calling it a “fake agitation” aimed at sustaining the NNKS’s relevance. BJP spokesperson Manoj Mohapatra alleged that the Congress, which he described as politically weakened in the state, is attempting to gain leverage by supporting the bandh. The BJP’s stance reflects the sharply divided political narrative surrounding the protest.

Implications for Citizens

The Odisha Bandh highlights the ongoing tension between farmers’ groups and state policies, particularly in areas related to agriculture, rural employment, and utility services. Citizens are advised to take note of the bandh timing and potential disruption in non-essential public services. Those requiring essential services can rely on hospitals, ambulances, and pharmacies, which will remain operational throughout the protest.

Markets, transport hubs, and government offices may face delays or partial closure. Commuters and business owners are encouraged to plan travel and transactions around the 6 am to 2 pm bandh window.

Conclusion

The Odisha Bandh on January 28, 2026, called by the Navnirman Krushak Sangathan, is set to be a significant day-long protest addressing critical issues like input assistance for farmers, paddy procurement reforms, electricity penalties, and rural employment schemes. While essential services remain exempt, other public services are likely to be affected. Political parties have taken contrasting positions, with the Congress supporting and the BJP criticising the bandh. Citizens across the state should prepare for temporary disruptions while the farmers’ agitation unfolds.

The bandh underscores the continuing struggle for farmers’ rights and rural welfare in Odisha, highlighting the impact of such protests on governance, politics, and everyday life in the state.

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