Bhubaneswar: Senior journalist staged a protest in Bhubaneswar on Thursday, demanding action against former Information and Public Relations (I&PR) Minister and BJD leader Raghunandan Das accused of unleashing his dogs on an on-duty woman journalist on June 25.
Veteran journalist Rajaram Satpathy said that the woman scribe was doing her duty when the incident took place. “She entered the premises of the BJD leader after taking permission of the security guard to take visuals of the neighbouring campus. This was unlike of a person who held the I&PR portfolio in the previous BJD regime,” he said.
Senior journalist Prasanna Mohanty demanded prompt and exemplary action against the BJD heavyweight. “It was a barbaric act. It is surprising that neither he nor anyone from his party has expressed any remorse over the incident. The BJP government has also not issued any statement. We are not satisfied with the police action,” he said.
He said they have also moved Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, who holds the Information and Public Relations portfolio, for stern action in the matter.
Senior journalist Rabi Das termed it as a shameful act and sought an apology from the BJD leader. “He was the I&PR minister and must be well aware of the responsibilities of the journalists. Despite this, the incident took place at his official quarters,” he said.
The journalists demanded that a special law be enacted for safety of journalists across the state.
On Wednesday, the former minister told the media he had not unleashed his pet dogs but threatened to do so as the journalist had entered his premises without permission. “I will file a counter FIR in the matter,” he said.