Bhubaneswar/Dhenkanal: Ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) today strongly condemned wrapping up of martyred Odia Jawan Ajit Kumar Sahoo’s body with party flag yesterday and claimed it to be the handiwork of any mischief monger.
Such an objectionable photo of yesterday has gone viral on social media today.
Following such a development, BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra stated, “BJD has always honoured and revered the martyrs and it will remain forever. Not only from the party point of view, but also as individuals we all feel proud of our martyrs. The issue that has cropped up is certainly unfortunate and condemnable. We all in BJD strongly condemn it.”
“The persons who have committed it, our party will examine it, persons to be identified and stringent action will be taken against them,” he assured and averred, “Those who are involved in it, they haven’t done it on behalf of our party platform.”
In his reactions, senior Congress leader Prafulla Majhi said, “Whatever has happened, it is absolutely unfair. As per the norms, the martyr’s body is wrapped up only with National Flag (Tricolour). If any party flag is placed on it, it is fully unjust. Such precedence ought not to be. It’s completely wrong.”
On the other hand, martyr Ajit Kumar Sahoo’s brother Parameshwar in his media reactions said, “I’m unable to speak clearly on the issue. I had a sleepless night as I had to bring my brother’s body to our village early morning. While coming from Bhubaneswar to Gadasuana, a large number of people paid homage between Bali and Khuntuni en route. About 1000-1500 people offered floral tribute to my brother on his coffin.”
He recounted, “At that time, a party flag was also wrapped up. My brother is a martyr for the nation, not for a party or individual. Tricolour suited to him as a martyr. Immediately I took away that party flag. During that period some photos have gone viral.”
“You can better realize the agony and tragedy befallen on our family. While it has lost a son, we have lost a brother. Kindly keep us away from this issue. Appeal the social media brethren not to make it viral as it is a sheer dishonour shown to a martyr,” the bereft brother rued.
