Bhubaneswar: If the threat by Brahmin outfits in the state to intensity their stir against senior BJD leader Damodar Rout is any indication, more troubles lie ahead for the sacked minister.
Tension ran high near Shishu Bhawan Square here Sunday when a group of activists of Brahmin Mahasangh launched a protest against Rout and marched
towards his official residence at Forest Park.
Although some of the protesters were detained by the police near Sishu Bhavan Square, their attitude signalled fresh problems for Rout. Consequently, the commissionerate police beefed up security around Rout’s official residence to avoid any law and order situation.
Members of the Brahmin Samaj have sought an unconditional apology from the lawmaker for his alleged castiest remark.
“BJD president Naveen Patnaik must sack Rout from the primary membership of BJD for his objectionable remarks against Brahmins, as it has hurt the sentiments of the community in the state,” said Mahasangh advisor Sitaram Satpathy.
He further said that Rout should bow down before the intellectuals at the Mukti Mandap in Puri Jagannath Temple and seek an apology for his remarks. “Else our protest will continue,” he warned.
The agitators also threatened that they would intensify their protest against the former minister during BJD’s 20th foundation day meeting at Puri December 26.
Meanwhile, sources in BJD
said that Rout may not attend the Puri event.
BJD supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who had dismissed Rout from his Council of Ministers Friday for making castiest remarks against Brahmins, also relieved him from party’s vice-president post Saturday.
The BJD leader is in the
eye of storm for his for remarks against Brahmins at a function December 19.
Meanwhile, Rout couldn’t be reached for his comments.
In another development, Women and Child Development Minister, Prafulla Samal was spotted at Rout’s government quarter here. Samal, however, said he had paid visit to Rout, as he was the BJD observer for Jagatsinghpur district.
“We held talks ahead of the civic by-polls in Paradip,” Samal clarified.
PNN
