Oh dear… PM felicitated fake descendants of Odisha freedom fighters!

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Apr 22:

The felicitation of descendants of eminent freedom fighters of Odisha by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is mired in more than one controversy. While the whereabouts of freedom fighter Laxmi Indira Panda’s grandson is yet to be traced, the identity of the descendants – who were felicitated at Raj Bhawan during commemoration of bi-centenary of Paika Rebellion – has come under suspicion.

The ruling Biju Janata Dal has alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has felicitated unreal descendants of freedom fighters which tantamounts to disrepute to the departed souls.

“During his visit to Bhubaneswar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had felicitated descendants of freedom fighters on the occasion of bi-centenary celebrations of Paika Rebellion. He hasn’t honoured the kin of the freedom fighters, he has disrespected many. PM has felicitated three persons who are not the successors of freedom fighters. Gajam’s Chakra Bisoyi, Rendo Majhi from Kalahandi and Jayee Rajguru from Puri are such freedom fighters who do not have successors,” BJD leader Suryo Narayan Patro said.

“Some fake people have been arranged and produced as descendants of the freedom fighters. This has created a revolt across Odisha. This is disregard to the great souls. Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had invited them through letters. One who has no knowledge of Odisha’s history, has no right to disrespect them. This is unfortunate,” Patro added.

On the other hand, Congress too has termed the incident “shameful”.

“Instead of bringing the successors of Chakra Bisoyi, a person having Bisei surname has been invited. Similar was in the case of Rendo Majhi. This is all farce and a shameful incident. Dharmendra Babu should have identified the legitimate successors with the help of district administration,” Congress leader Tara Prasad Bahinipati expressed.