Puri: Local outfit Shree Jagannath Sena filed an FIR against School and Mass Education Minister and Nimapada MLA Samir Ranjan Dash and Satyabadi MLA Umakanta Samantaray on Monday for attending the funeral of MLA Pradeep Maharathy at Puri Swargadwar on Sunday despite having been tested positive for Covid-19.
The convenor of Jagannath Sena, Priyadarshi Mishra, lodged the case at the Sea Beach Police Station. He alleged that although the two BJD legislators had tested positive for coronavirus a few days back, they attended the last rites of Maharathy where thousands of people from and outside the pilgrim city were present.
“They were tested Covid-19 positive four-five days ago and despite that, they participated in the funeral with thousands of gathering. They are super spreaders and should be arrested. As they are Minister and legislator, legal action is not being taken against them,” alleged Mishra.
Meanwhile, S&ME Minister Samir Dash while giving clarification over the allegations said, “I was tested positive for Covid-19 on September 14 and discharged from Ashwini Covid hospital on September 21. Since then I was in home isolation and yesterday was the 21st day. Therefore, I attended the last rites of our deceased leader Maharathy,” claimed Dash.
“I have not violated any Covid-19 guidelines issued by the State government. However, there is confusion regarding my absence during the ongoing monsoon session of Odisha Assembly. I got myself tested on September 27 and found a negligible percentage of virus load. Therefore, I did not attend the Assembly proceedings,” added Dash.
Dash further stated that he was ignorant about the health condition of his colleague and Satyabadi MLA Samantaray.
It is worth mentioning that on September 28, Samantaray through his twitter handle had informed that he had tested positive for Covid-19. Therefore, questions are being raised as to how the MLA could attend the social gathering only seven days after contracting the virus?
Samantaray was not available for comments.
Moreover, the district administration’s decision to permit thousands of people to attend the funeral procession and the last rites of the legislator at Swargadwar comes at a time when the State Government has allowed the congregation of only 20 persons in funeral ceremonies till the end of October.
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