Odisha Minister, BJD leaders draw flak for ‘insulting’ Odia language on Pakhala Dibasa

‘Pakhala Dibasa’ being written in English and Patra’s statement didn’t go down well with many linguists and the Opposition BJP in the State.

Culture Minister Aswini Kumar Patra during OTDC function on Pakhala Dibasa

While ‘Pakhala Dibasa’ was celebrated across the globe on Monday for glorifying classic Odia cuisine ‘Pakhala’-the fermented water rice, State Language, Literature and Culture Minister Aswini Kumar Patra, Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) Chairman Lenin Mohanty and some other BJD leaders drew flak from linguists and Opposition BJP for allegedly insulting Odia language.

As per reports, ‘Pakhala Dibasa’ was organised by OTDC at Panthanivas in Bhubaneswar on Monday in which Patra, Mohanty and some other BJD leaders were present.