A heated controversy rocked the Odisha Legislative Assembly on Thursday after BJP MLA Santosh Khatua made controversial remarks about Mahatma Gandhi during a budget discussion, prompting fierce protests from opposition parties BJD and Congress.
The opposition members stormed the well of the House, raised slogans, and later staged a silent dharna at Gandhi’s statue within the assembly premises, demanding an apology and the expunging of the remarks from the official records.
The pandemonium unfolded during the debate on the demands for grants of the Home and General Administration departments. While speaking, BJP MLA Santosh Khatua from Cuttack reportedly suggested that Gandhi had supported the partition of India—a claim that drew immediate and vehement backlash from BJD and Congress legislators. Led by BJD’s opposition leader Prasanna Acharya and Congress Legislature Party leader Ramachandra Kadam, the opposition members rushed to the Speaker’s podium, halting proceedings amid high-decibel slogans.
Prasanna Acharya, visibly agitated, asserted, “Mahatma Gandhi was never in favour of India’s partition. Anyone who has even glanced at the pages of the freedom struggle knows this. Our Father of the Nation was unequivocally opposed to it.” He demanded that the remarks be immediately expunged from the House records and that the MLA tender an unconditional apology, calling such statements an affront to Gandhi’s legacy.
Echoing the sentiment, Ramachandra Kadam condemned the remarks in strong terms, stating, “Gandhiji envisioned an undivided India. Only someone ignorant of history would make such slanderous comments. This must be struck off the records without delay.” The opposition’s uproar forced Speaker Surama Padhi to adjourn the House briefly as members refused to relent.
In his defence, Khatua clarified, “I hold the utmost respect for the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. I did not intend to say anything derogatory. If there was any misstatement on my part, I request the Chair to expunge it.” The Speaker subsequently directed that the controversial portion be removed from the official proceedings. However, this did little to placate the opposition, who continued their protests, accusing the ruling BJP of distorting history.
Acharya further remarked in the House, “Even a fool would not claim Gandhi supported partition. Post-partition, he observed a fast unto death in silent protest against the violence. Uttering such words in this august House is unbecoming of any legislator. The BJP MLA must apologise.” Kadam added, “Gandhiji always advocated peaceful resistance. We have followed his path by staging a silent dharna at his statue in the assembly complex.”
At around 5:41 PM, the opposition members walked out of the House and gathered at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi within the premises, where BJD and Congress legislators sat in a silent vigil to protest the perceived insult to the icon of India’s independence movement. Efforts by the ruling party, including Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling, Chief Whip Saroj Pradhan, and Minister Rabi Nayak, to pacify and bring them back proved futile initially, leading to the House being adjourned multiple times. Proceedings remained stalled until 7:25 PM.
Upon their return, Mahaling addressed the House, stating, “Mahatma Gandhi is an ideal for all of us. It was never the intention of our party or any MLA to make remarks against him. The Speaker has already ordered the expunging of the statement, and MLA Khatua has expressed regret over it.” Despite this, the opposition pressed for greater clarity from the government. Finally, Mahaling reiterated that the government “disapproved” of the remarks, allowing the House to resume normal business at 7:25 PM.
Speaking to the media outside, Acharya emphasised, “Insulting Gandhi in the assembly is an insult to the entire nation and the freedom struggle. Blaming him for the partition is not just unbecoming but ignorant and unjust. By desecrating this sacred House with such words, history has been tarnished. We have chosen Gandhi’s path of non-violent protest with our silent dharna. Those who try to cripple history from the Speaker’s podium will never be forgiven by it. Gandhi is the Father of the Nation, and his portrait adorns the wall behind the Chair. The BJD opposes any smear campaign against this great soul. We demand the member apologise and the Speaker take action against him.”
Kadam echoed, “Mahatma Gandhi freed the country from colonial rule. Such derogatory remarks expose the BJP’s true mindset. Until the member apologises, the Congress will continue its agitation.” The incident has sparked widespread criticism, with opposition leaders vowing to keep the pressure on until a formal apology is issued, underscoring the enduring reverence for Gandhi in Indian politics.
