Odisha Minister stokes controversy, calls Dhanu Yatra as Bali Yatra

Bargarh: Culture Minister Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi has again courted controversy at the world famous Bargarh Dhanu Yatra. He mentioned the Dhanu Yatra as Bali Yatra on the dais in presence of demon king Kansa last evening. The minister repeatedly called the Dhanu Yatra as Bali Yatra. However, after the intervention of Kansa, the minister rectified himself and cited the yatra as Dhanu Yatra.

Moreover, the minister declared that the State government is planning to accord the ‘State-level Mahostav’ status to Dhanu Yatra. This sparked further controversy as Dhanu Yatra has been given the National Festival status in 2014.

The minister’s announcement, therefore, carries less significance and shows his poor understanding about the Dhanu Yatra, said an audience.

In November last year, Jyoti Prakash was in news after Opposition levelled an allegation against him saying that he toured Hyderabad with a female friend at the expense of money from the State exchequer. The State Assembly’s winter session witnessed Opposition ruckus over the matter.