Damodar Rout loses post for remarks against Brahmins

By Suryanarayan Panda

Bhubaneswar, DEC. 22:  Odisha chief minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik Friday evening dismissed Odisha agriculture minister and party vice president Dr Damodar Rout for his ‘beggar’ remarks on Brahmins.

Dr Rout was in his constituency when the CM announced his dismissal at reporters in Bhubaneswar.

“I strongly disapprove of anyone who makes derogatory remarks against any caste, creed or religion. I have dismissed Dr Damodar Rout from the council of ministers. A letter has been sent this evening to the Governor to accept this dismissal,” said the chief minister Mr Patnaik.

The 76-year-old BJD vice president, during the Malyabant Mahotsav cultural festival at Malkangiri on Sunday, had stated that “Brahmins beg for alms, if situation arises.”

His remarks had created a furore among the Brahmin community across the state.

A group Brahmin activists had on Friday submitted a written complaint to the Puri Town police alleging that the minister was trying to mislead people by giving such derogatory remarks on their community.

The Brahmins warned that they would oppose the Minister’s scheduled visit to the pilgrim town on December 26.

Besides, restriction will be imposed on his attendance at various meetings in Puri in the future, the activists had stated.

On Thursday, the minister had sought an apology for his remarks through a video posted on social media.

It may be mentioned here that the statement did not go well with the Brahmin community in pilgrim city Puri who later staged a protest here demanding his suspension.

The opposition BJP dubbed the CM’s action as a “mere drama” to divert the public attention from his “failures.”

“The Naveen Patnaik government is facing a lot of resentment for suicides by debt-ridden farmers, rising unemployment and increase in corruption in the administration. This tactic will not work and people have decided to dump this government in 2019 polls,” said BJP spokesperson Sajjan Sharma.