BJD flag on martyr’s coffin sparks controversy

BHUBANESWAR: Controversy has sparked over a BJD flag wrapping coffin of martyr Ajit Sahoo — Odisha native Rashtriya Rifles jawan killed in an IED blast at Pulwama on June 17 — on its way from Bhubaneswar to his native village in Dhenkanal district on Thursday.
After photo of the martyr’s coffin with BJD flag surfaced in social media on Friday, the BJP demanded apology from chief minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik. The BJD promised to take stringent action against whoever has done it.
The martyr’s cousin Parameswar Sahoo said after the body landed in Bhubaneswar, it was taken in an ambulance to Dhenkanal. “On its way, people offered floral tributes at many places. At one place, someone wrapped it with a BJD flag. Knowing that it was unsavoury, I removed it. But by then, someone had already clicked some photographs,” Parameswar said.
Parameswar said the matter must not be politicised. “He laid down his life for the country, not for any individual or a party,” he said.
Collector (Dhenkanal) Nikhil Pavan Kalyan said the incident did not happen in his native Dhenkanal district. Sources said it happened at Khuntuni in Cuttack district.
Terming it as a dishonour of the martyr, BJP Ex-Servicemen Cell state convenor B K Bastia said, “The incident is condemnable. It is a disgrace to the entire country. As BJD president, chief minister Naveen Patnaik should tender an unconditional apology,” he said.
The funeral pyre of the martyr was lit at his native Badasuanlo village in Kamakahayanagar sub-division on Thursday.
The BJD said it has enormous respect towards the martyrs. The party will act against the perpetrator of the disgraceful act. “The matter has come to our notice. It is extremely unfortunate. We strongly condemn it. The party will find out who is responsible for this and take the strongest action against them,” BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra told reporters here.
It is not the first time the BJD has found itself in a controversy over respect to martyrs. Then BJD MLA Debasish Samantray had allegedly manhandled kin of martyr Manoj Behera in February when the martyr’s body was awaiting cremation at his native village in Cuttack district. Behera was among 40 CRPF personnel martyred in terror attack in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir on February 14. After the incident sparked furore, Samantray had offered apology.