The Odisha Legislative Assembly witnessed stormy scenes on Tuesday as BJD, Congress, and CPI(M) MLAs staged a united protest against controversial remarks made by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey about legendary leader Biju Patnaik.
The opposition demanded an immediate discussion and passage of a condemnation resolution in the House, describing the comments as an insult to Odia pride and self-respect. The ruckus began during Question Hour, forcing Speaker Surama Padhy to adjourn the House from 10:51 am to 11:30 am. Protests continued in Zero Hour.
BJD’s Deputy Leader Prasanna Acharya, while moving the adjournment notice, recounted Biju Patnaik’s historic contributions — airlifting Indian troops to Srinagar in 1947 when Pakistan tried to capture Kashmir, flying essential supplies during the crisis, leading a daring mission to Indonesia in 1945 to support its freedom struggle when his son Naveen was just three months old, and again answering Jawaharlal Nehru’s call during the 1962 Chinese aggression. “Biju Babu is the pride and honour of Odisha. This is not just an attack on one leader but on the entire Odia identity,” Acharya thundered.
Congress Legislature Party Leader Ramachandra Kadam termed the remarks “an assault on Odia asmita” and demanded that the BJP MP be booked under sedition laws. CPI(M) MLA Laxman Munda and senior BJD MLA Ranendra Pratap Swain also strongly condemned the statement. Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati called Biju Patnaik the global face of Odisha alongside Lord Jagannath and warned that no Odia would tolerate such humiliation by a “corporate dalal”.
BJP MLA Saroj Kumar Padhi, while agreeing that Biju Patnaik remains the pride of Odisha and the nation, countered by pointing out what he called BJD’s selective respect for the late leader. He noted the absence of Biju’s photo on BJD posters in the last election and questioned why the party had not built a Biju Bhawan despite announcing a Biju Trust in Delhi and a grand Shankha Bhawan.
Speaker Padhy informed the House that two notices and a resolution had been submitted by BJD MLAs on March 30 and said the matter would be taken up in the Business Advisory Committee. The House returned to normal proceedings after the Speaker’s assurance.
The episode has triggered widespread anger across Odisha, with several voices demanding that the state legislature send a strong message against any attempt to tarnish Biju Patnaik’s legacy.
