Minority communities object to Bajrang Dal’s remarks in Odisha rally

Jeypore: A delegation of minority communities today met Jeypore Sub Collector against derogatory and objectionable slogans raised during a rally by Bajrang Dal activists at Borigumma in Odisha’s Koraput district on last Monday. The members also submitted a memorandum to safeguard the peace and harmony in the district.

In the memorandum, the delegation has sought intervention of police and district administration to prevent such incidents in future and to ensure peace and harmony in the hill region.

Koraput is a secular district. Such an incident is really unfortunate. We demand the district administration to maintain the communal harmony in the region and prevent such acts in future, said a member of the delegation.

However, reacting over the issue Jeypore sub collector Chakravarti Singh Rathore said, “No one has filed an FIR in this regard till now. Action will be taken after lodging of FIR.”

Expressing his displeasure, Congress leader and Jeypore MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati said that it was not to happen in a city like Jeypore known for its communal harmony and no one should try to disturb peace and harmony.

He also requested the citizens of undivided Koraput district to respect each other’s religion and live in harmony.

The Koraput district Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) President Babulal Bajrangi refuting the allegations said, no such incident has happened and if anything wrong has been committed by our organisation, I beg apology for that. Our motto is to go united.

Notably, Bajrang Dal had organised an organisational training camp at Borigumma from June 5 to June 12 and a rally was organised on the concluding day. It is alleged that the activists had marched with sword and traditional weapons in the rally raising derogatory and objectionable slogans against minority communities.