Collector, SP in t-shirts with CM’s logo: Matter reaches NHRC

It seems that the controversy surrounding top officials of Mayurbhanj wearing T-shirts having the logo of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik refuses to die down.

The officials- Mayurbhanj Collector, Vineet Bhardwaj and SP B Gangadhar recently triggered a controversy by reportedly wearing T-shirts with the logo of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik during a programme in Baripada. Now the matter has reached the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

An organization, Nyay Pain Ladhei Parivar (NPLP) has filed a complaint with the NHRC. The NPLP has demanded stern action against the Mayurbhanj Collector and SP. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Chief Secretary have been made parties in the case.

“Despite being government servants, Mayurbhanj SP and Collector were involved in publicity by wearing party T-shirts. We have demanded stern action against them,” said NPLP president, Subrat Das.

Earlier, Mayurbhanj Collector, Vineet Bhardwaj had dodged the question and had termed it to be a government program. It is pertinent to mention here that the pictures of both Mayurbhanj Collector Vineet Bhardwaj and SP B Gangadhar wearing T-shirts carrying the logo of CM had gone viral on social media.

It also provided an opportunity for the Opposition parties to train their guns on the Odisha government over the matter.

BJP’s Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi had slammed the Collector and SP. On her X handle, Sarangi had termed the incident as very unfortunate and ridiculous.

“Very unfortunate as well as ridiculous! Collector, Mayurbhanj, Odisha! Degeneration of official standards to this extent. These officials must know that SEASON IS NOT THE SAME ALWAYS,” she wrote.