BJD Suspends Three Leaders For Draping Martyr Indian Army Soldier in Party Flag Instead of Tricolour
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Friday suspended its three leaders - Binod Kumar Majhi, Santosh Kumar Sahu and Govardhan Das of Cuttack district for allegedly draping a party flag over Indian Army martyr Ajit Sahoo's coffin.
Bhubaneshwar, June 21: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Friday suspended its three leaders for allegedly draping a party flag over Indian Army martyr Ajit Sahoo's coffin. Three leaders who were suspended over the incident include - Binod Kumar Majhi, Santosh Kumar Sahu and Govardhan Das of Cuttack district.
BJD General Secretary BK Nayak said, “BJD has inquired into the incident. On the basis of this, Binod Kr Majhi, Santosh Kr Sahu and Govardhan Das of Cuttack dist have been placed under suspension from the party.”
BK Nayak's Statement:
Sahoo who was attached to 44 Rashtriya Rifles was martyred in a gun-battle with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district earlier this week. Sahoo’s body arrived at Khuntuni in Odisha on Thursday night, from where it was taken to his native village of Badasunalo for last rites.
Martyr’s brother Parameswar said that some of the BJD workers who received his body in Khuntuni draped the party flag over the Indian national flag. Sahoo’s brother also said that he had opposed the covering of country's flag with that of BJD's, saying that his brother had died for the nation and not for any political party.
After the incident, the Odisha government faced flak. BJP’s ex-serviceman cell chief Col (retd) BK Bastia has demanded Patnaik to issue an apology on behalf of his party for "dishonouring" the late jawan. BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra issued an apology over the incident, and has assured stringent action against the party workers involved. Jammu And Kashmir: Terrorists Lob Grenade at Pulwama Police Station; Civilians Injured.
It is not the first time that BJD has been accused of disrespecting the forces. In a video which went viral, BJD MLA Debasish Samantaray was seen pushing a man said to be the uncle of martyr Manoj Behera during his cremation. Behera was martyred in the February 14 Pulwama attack.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 21, 2019 10:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).