Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Majhi on Tuesday assured strict action in Biju Patnaik’s statue burning incident at Patnagarh in Odisha’s Balangir district.
In a strongly-worded message, the CM said this can only be the handiwork some lowly person, perhaps suffering from some mental illness. He has directed police to take stern action against persons involved in this incident and expose if there is any conspiracy behind it
The CM informed that one person has so far been arrested.
Majhi asserted that state government recognises the contributions and gives due respect to all legendary figures, who made significant contributions to the nation building. He mentioned about the state-level function organised by his government in memory of Biju Patnaik on his birth anniversary on March 5. “Biju Jayanti was celebrated with great enthusiasm and the government with also commemorate the legendary leader’s death anniversary on April 17,” he added.
Also Read: Biju Patnaik’s Statue Set On Fire In Odisha’s Patnagarh; Know The Controversy
The CM’s statement came hours after former minister and senior BJD leader Sanjay Das Burma accused the BJP government of repeatedly showing disrespect to the legendary leader. “Biju Babu took part in the freedom struggle of three countries. The legendary leader did not belong to any caste, creed, religion or party, he represented ‘Odia Asmita’. The Mohan Majhi government has continuously been disrespectful to him. It cancelled Panchayati Raj Diwas celebrations on March 5 to erase his legacy. What happened at Patnagarh today is extremely unfortunate, We strongly condemn the incident. The culprits should be immediately arrested. If such incident continues, self-respecting people of Odisha will give a befitting reply,” he said.
Senior BJD leader Pramila Mallik also criticised the state government for growing attacks on Biju Patnaik’s statue in different places. ” Odisha’s pride was set ablaze with the statue of Biju Babu. No one will support this kind of vandalism,” said former minister and BJD leader Prasanna Acharya.
This apart, BJD leaders and workers protested against the incident by holding a demonstration under Biju Patnaik’s statue near the airport in Bhubaneswar later in the afternoon.
In March, miscreants vandalised a statue of the former chief minister at Hanuman Chowk in Mahanga area of Cuttack district. The incident, however, took a new turn after the two accused claimed that they damaged the statue in an inebriated state after being instigated by a close confidant of senior BJD leader and former Minister Pratap Jena.
In another instance, the colour of Biju Patnaik’s statue was also changed in Cuttack city last month.
