TNI Bureau: The Congress party has postponed its proposed eight-day “Gandhi Pathe Nyaya Yatra,” which was scheduled to begin on April 26 from Dhinkia in Jagatsinghpur and conclude at Lok Seva Bhavan in Bhubaneswar, after the Jagatsinghpur district administration reportedly denied permission for the peaceful foot march.

Addressing the media at Congress Bhavan, party leaders expressed strong disappointment over the administration’s refusal, questioning why permission was not granted for what they described as a peaceful and democratic protest.

Congress leaders said the yatra was planned to raise issues related to alleged displacement of tribal communities and local residents due to mining and industrial projects across districts such as Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Angul, Sundargarh, Koraput, and Rayagada. They accused the government of prioritizing the interests of industrial houses over the rights and livelihoods of indigenous people.

PCC spokespersons criticized the government’s approach, alleging that when Congress attempts to fight for justice and the rights of affected communities, the administration tries to silence the party by denying permission for public movements.

PCC Vice-President Dr. Lalatendu Mahapatra said denying permission for a peaceful padyatra amounts to an attack on democracy. He stated that protest marches and public gatherings for people’s welfare are constitutional rights and that the Congress strongly opposes the administration’s decision.

Jagatsinghpur District Congress President said the party has once again sought permission from the district administration and will announce fresh dates for the yatra accordingly. As a result, the march scheduled to begin on April 26 has been officially postponed.

Several senior Congress leaders, including Cuttack District Congress President Pradipta Kumar Das, Khordha District President Rajib Pattnaik, Zilla Parishad member Pinaki Das, and MLA aspirants Niranjan Nayak and Nalini Kumar Swain, were present during the press briefing.