BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahtab Decries Ex-MP Tathagat Satpathy’s Comment On Netaji-Odisha Links

Cuttack: Senior BJD leader and Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahtab on Tuesday decried the opinion of his former party colleague and MP Tathagat Satpathy for the editorial on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose published in his vernacular daily ‘Dharitri’ on Monday.

Talking to the media, Mahtab said Satpathy in his editorial “Taniani Sammana” has said that naming the proposed bus terminal in Cuttack after Netaji is like insulting the entire Odia race.

Taking a swipe at Satpathy, he said though Netaji was a Bengali, he was born in Cuttack and spent his childhood at his birthplace in Odia Bazar. Besides, he completed his Matriculation from the Ravenshaw Collegiate School in Cuttack and went to the Presidency College. However, he came back to Cuttack and stayed for one and a half years after his rustication from the Presidency College.

Mahtab also said during his stay in Cuttack, Netaji used to interact in Odia with his neighbours in Odia Bazar. Besides, during his visit to Jajpur Road and Salepur during the famine, he had worked with the Odia people.

“Taking all these into consideration, such disparaging views of Satpathy speaks volumes of his sheer malevolence towards the great leader who is respected all over the world for his exemplary courage and immense love for his motherland,” he pointed out.

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Stating that Tathagat should not have made such insulting comments in his editorial, Mahatab said at times someone’s ignorance becomes a blessing for others.

In his editorial, Satpathy had said “Most Odias think that Netaji is a pride of Odisha. In fact, I have a feeling that this is wrong. In none of his speeches, writings or statements, Netaji has mentioned that Odisha is his birthplace.”