Naveen Patnaik’s Remark On Asmita Draws Fresh Salvo From Odisha BJP

Bhubaneswar: With the issue of renaming Ravenshaw University triggering a row in Odisha, BJD president and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Assembly Naveen Patnaik has raised certain questions over Odia Asmita.

The former Chief Minister’s post on X handle, which came after an editorial by BJP MP from Cuttack Bhartruhari Mahtab in an Odia newspaper on Ravenshaw University renaming, has drawn sharp reactions from certain quarters.

In his article, Mahtab has pointed out that when the freedom struggle was on and the countrymen were fighting the British, there were some people who chose to lick the feet of the foreign rulers. Stating that there will always be sycophants, the Parliamentarian said renaming Ravenshaw and getting rid of the colonial hangover will not bring any disaster. It is rather a national duty to do so, he said.

Though Naveen has not mentioned any name or issue, his post was widely believed to have been made in connection with the Ravenshaw name change controversy.

The ruling BJP has lashed out at Naveen saying that a man who is unable to speak Odia despite being in state politics for more than two decades has no right to speak on the issue.

“Is this Odia Asmita? It is the moral duty of the nation to respect and be grateful to the great men for their contribution. Institutions of excellence are built with sacrifice, dedication and vision of these great men are the indelible achievements of the nation,” Naveen said in the post on X handle.

Stressing that Vyasakabi Fakir Mohan Senapati has made a significant contribution to the development of Odia language and literature, the LoP said everyone knows the contribution of the Mayurbhanj royal family to the overall development of Odisha. Their contribution in the fields of literature, education, health, culture etc. are immeasurable, he said.

Claiming that some people are trying to distort history, Naveen sought to know what message does this convey for future generations. “Words alone can’t build a Konark. Building an institution is not easy. It requires a lot of sacrifice and penance,” the BJD chief said in his post.

The former CM further said that leaders have started distorting history as they are lost in the euphoria of temporary success. “They should remember that if they try to dilute the Himalaya-like tall personalities of the sons of the soil, they will lose their own existence,” said Naveen.

Reacting sharply to the LoP’s post, senior BJP leader and MLA Jayanarayan Mishra made a stinging attack on the former CM and said one birth is not enough for Naveen to understand the essence of Odia Asmita. People of Odisha have thrown out the government led by Naveen which neglected Odia Asmita during the last 25 years, he said.

Mishra said Naveen never bothered about Asmita and heritage when structures like shrines, mutts and Raghunandan Library were razed in the pilgrim town of Puri. He sought to know whether renaming the road named after legendary poet Abhimanyu Samantsinghar in Bhubaneswar reflected the BJD chief’s love for Odia literature.

Accusing Naveen and BJD leaders of attempting to distort history, the BJP stalwart said people of the state gave a fitting reply in the recent elections. Seeking to know as to why Naveen and his party leaders have so much affection for TE Ravenshaw, Mishra said Utkal Deepika was a mute witness to the real character of this British officer.

Stating that BJP believes in setting right history by removing distortions, he said Naveen and his party got swayed away by momentary success, while BJP believed in action to translate dreams into reality.

Attacking Naveen in same vein, BJP MLA Saroj Padhi said the BJD chief failed to speak even after 27 years and he should refrain from speaking about Asmita. Naveen has no right to speak about Utkalamani Gopabandhu Das, Gajapati Maharaja, Madhubabu, Mayurbhanj King and Fakir Mohan Senapati.