CM Relieves Damodar Rout From Party Vice President Post

Bhubaneswar:  A day after being sacked from the ministry over his
alleged derogatory remarks against Brahmin community, Damodar Rout
suffered a fresh blow on Saturday after Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik
announced his removal from the post of the BJD’s vice president.

Patnaik also relieved Rout from the responsibility of the party’s
observer in Dhenkanal district.

On Friday, CM had announced Rout’s dismissal from the ministry over
his statement at a meeting in Malkangiri district on December 17 that
tribals could not be seen begging in the state, but Brahmins could be
spotted begging at some places.

The statement had triggered widespread resentment among the persons
belonging to Brahmin community.

Several outfits staged protests at different places of the state
against such casteist remarks demanding an apology from Rout and his
immediate removal.