TV
An FIR was lodged on Friday against Member of Parliament (MP) in the Rajya Sabha and senior BJD leader, Munna Khan following claims of his derogatory remarks about the widely popular Odia prayer 'Ahe Dayamaya Biswabihari' and its composer Ramakrushna Nanda.
The formal complaint was lodged by Ramakrushna Nanda Smruti Parishad at Olatpur Police Station in Cuttack district.
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According to sources, Prakash Nanda, founder of the council and grandson of eminent poet Ramakrushna Nanda, addressed a press conference earlier in the day in the Bairoi locality of Olatpur stating that MP Munna Khan had made disrespectful comments about the poet during a cultural festival in Nabarangpur on December 6, an event that coincided with the Mandei Utsav.
The senior BJD leader allegedly made unpleasant interpretations of the prayer and police action has been sought.
The reported remarks have caused distress among the family of Ramakrushna Nanda and followers of the prayer. Although Munna Khan has reportedly apologised, the council remains unsatisfied and is urging for his removal from his parliamentary position.
“The way Munna Khan interpreted such a prayer and made derogatory remarks has hurt the sentiments of people across Odisha. He said that the poet had indulged in an altercation with his wife following which he wrote the prayer,” Prakash Nanda alleged.
“I learned that the MP has apologised for his wrongdoing. However, misbehaving someone and then apologising makes no meaning,” the poet’s grandson rued.
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“This was a story from my earlier days when I was a small child, which I was narrating on the stage. Then, I had not understood the true meaning of the poem. Whatever had come to my mind as a child in those days is what I had said,” the Rajya Sabha MP said in his reply.
“I have all respect for the poet’s family and I have never disrespected any great person in my life. However, the past story came out in a flow. I have already expressed my regrets and hope that the family will understand,” Munna Khan added.
Reported By: Swati
