Anti-Odisha remarks: Abhijit apologises, to reappear before panel on Nov 2

Bhubaneswar: Journalist Abhijit Iyer Mitra, who appeared before a House Committee of the Odisha Assembly today over his alleged anti-Odisha remarks, has been asked to reappear before it on November 2, informed Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra who heads the panel.

“Abhijit Iyer Mitra admitted to the charges levelled against him and sought an unconditional apology for his ‘stupidity’. He has been directed to depose before the committee and submit an affidavit in this regard,” said Mishra.

“After examining his affidavit, the panel will decide whether to accept his apology or not. Accordingly, the committee will then recommend the House to take action against him, if necessary,” he said.

Odisha Assembly Speaker Pradip Amat had on September 20 constituted a House Committee to probe the alleged derogatory remarks against the state, its culture and the lawmakers by the journalist.

The committee headed by Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra had issued notice to Abhijit to appear personally before the panel on October 11 for breach of privilege as he also allegedly hurled abuses at Odisha legislators.

He, however, failed to appear following which another notice was sent to him for appearance before the committee on October 23.

Notably, on September 16, Abhijit had posted a video on Twitter in which he was seen criticising the Konark temple. Later, he went on making alleged defamatory remarks against Odia culture.

Two FIRs have been registered against Abhijit at Konark and Saheed Nagar police stations under different sections of IPC. He was arrested on September 20 by Odisha Police in Delhi. Later, he was granted bail by a Delhi court till October 5 which directed him to cooperate in the probe. The Supreme Court on October 4 had, however, refused to grant him bail.