Bhubaneswar: A statue of legendary leader and former Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik was set on fire at Parshuram Chowk in the Patnagarh area of Balangir district on Tuesday, triggering strong political reactions and calls for swift justice.
Condemning the incident, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi assured that strict action will be taken against those responsible. In a strongly worded statement, Majhi said the act could only be the work of a “lowly individual, possibly suffering from mental instability.” He has directed the police to conduct a thorough investigation, identify the culprits, and uncover any possible conspiracy behind the incident.The Chief Minister also confirmed that one person has been arrested in connection with the case so far.
Majhi reiterated his government’s commitment to honouring all iconic leaders who contributed significantly to nation-building. He highlighted that the state government had recently organised a grand celebration on March 5 to mark Biju Patnaik’s birth anniversary and would also commemorate his death anniversary on April 17.
The statue, installed by former Patnagarh MLA Saroj Kumar Meher, had earlier become the center of controversy. A section of the local Brahmin community had demanded the installation of a statue of Lord Parshuram at the junction named after the deity. Members of the Brahmin Samaj had staged a month-long sit-in protest, following which the matter reached the Orissa High Court. The court later ordered that the statue be covered with a polythene sheet.
Reacting to the incident, a senior BJD leader called it a shameful act of disrespect toward Biju Patnaik, describing him as a visionary who shaped modern Odisha. The leader also alleged that such incidents have seen a rise since the BJP assumed power in the state.
This isn’t the first instance of vandalism involving Biju Patnaik’s statue. In March, a similar incident occurred at Hanuman Chowk in the Mahanga area of Cuttack district. The case took a controversial turn when the two accused claimed they acted under the influence of alcohol and were instigated by a close associate of senior BJD leader and former Minister Pratap Jena.
