Odisha Agri Minister Dama Rout ‘dismissed’ from ministry

Bhubaneswar: In a significant development, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today dismissed Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Minister Dr Damodar Rout from his Council of Ministers for his alleged casteist remarks recently at a public function.

Patnaik said that he has already sent a letter to the Governor over Rout’s dismissal from the Council of Ministers.

“I strongly disapprove of anyone who makes derogatory remarks against any caste, creed or religion. I have dismissed Dr Rout from the Council of Ministers. A letter has been sent this evening to the Governor to accept his dismissal,” announced Patnaik briefing reporters.

Rout was often in the news for his controversial remarks, the last being on Brahmins. The former Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) stalwart had stated at the Malyabanta Mahotsav in Malkangiri recently that Brahmins can resort to begging but adivasis never ever do that.

The remark had led to severe outrage among the Brahmins at several places in the State who demanded an apology from Rout or his removal from the Council of Ministers.

Earlier, remarks by Rout on several occasions had put the BJD in trouble.

His ‘swami chadi anganwadi’ remark too had put the ruling party in trouble. Rout’s remark was viewed as an indirect jibe at BJP leader Lekhashree Samantasinghar for her ‘Dhritarashtra’ comments.