Bhubaneswar: Popular Oriya film comedian Tattwa Prakash Satpathy alias Papu Pom Pom was attacked with ink Wednesday and had his face blackened by activists who were offended by his allegedly controversial comments on Lord Jagannath at a stage show.
The incident took place at Jharpada on Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Road when Papu was returning from a shoot. The comedian, expelled from the state’s ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) after allegations of sexually harassing a minor girl cropped up against him, was targeted by activists of Lulu Sena, police said. With ink on his face and body, Papu was seen begging for forgiveness by holding his ears inside his car.
During his performance at a stage show in Puri two days ago, the comedian had said that ‘Tulsi’ leaves which street dogs dirty everyday are used in the rituals of Lord Jagannath. He further went on to say that those who utter ‘‘Jay Jagannath’’ are sinners, sources said.
As the audience objected to Papu’s remarks, the comedian had to apologise from the stage itself.
Papu has explained that he did not intend to hurt anyone’s religious feelings and whatever he said was only for humour. Meanwhile, Jagannath Sena, an outfit fighting for the protection of Jagannath culture, lodged a complaint Tuesday at the Sea Beach police station in Puri demanding Papu’s arrest.
The comedian was arrested in June for sexually harassing the minor girl after promising to give her a break in films. He was released from jail after High Court granted him bail. Papu had unsuccessfully contested the assembly elections in 2014 on a BJD ticket.
NGO Friends Foundation Trust lodged a complaint against Papu at OHRC for his derogatory remarks against Lord Jagannath. NGO president Satya Ranjan Samal said, “The actor made derogatory remarks against Lord Jagannath so we have lodged a complaint with OHRC and submitted his audio recording. The commission has said it will enquire into the matter. The commission has also asked DCP to probe and submit a report within 7 days.”
Post News Network/PTI
