The Commissionerate police on Sunday beefed up security at the residence of ousted Minister Damodar Rout here in view of protests by Brahmin groups against Rout’s derogatory statements against the community.
Earlier, tension prevailed at Sishu Bhawan Square here as Odisha Brahmana Mahasangha activists held a protest against Rout’s remarks and demanded his unconditional apology to the Brahmin community and his dismissal from the BJD. “Damodar Rout should get purified by shaving his head outside the Shreemandir in Puri and taking a dip in Puri sea.
He should also seek apology by prostrating before Brahmins. Naveen Patnaik is the beloved leader of Odisha and he should immediately remove such a nasty politician from his party. We will continue our agitation until he is dismissed from the party. Rout will also face stiff protests from us during the BJD’s foundation day celebrations to be observed in Puri,” said Mahasangha advisor Sriguru Sitaram Satpathy.
Police detained some protesters at Sishu Bhawan Square before they marched towards Rout’s Government house.
Earlier in the morning, Minister Prafulla Samal visited Rout’s house. He clarified that he discussed about the issue with him as the BJD observer of Rout’s native Jagatsinghpur district ahead of party’s foundation day. “He (Dama) is a senior leader of our party. As the observer of his district, I discussed with him about foundation day. He is a disciplined leader of the BJD. I hope he would never do anything which would hamper party’s interest,” Samal said.
Rout, who was shunted out from the Ministry on Friday for his casteist remark against Brahmins, was also relieved from the post of BJD vice-president and Dhenkanal district BJD observer on Saturday by party supremo Naveen Patnaik.