Bhubaneswar: A day after journalists across Odisha raised voice in unison seeking an apology from BJD MP Anubhav Mohanty for insulting an on-field TV journalist, Mohanty with a ‘no-regret face’ today posted a video to state that he regrets his behaviour with OTV journalist Manoj Swain.
The video released by the actor-turned-politician on various social media platforms had three takes, each with a different message.
In the first part, Mohanty narrated, “I have immense respect for media persons and supported them always. However, the incident which happened in Kendrapara recently involving an OTV journalist has hurt me. It wasn’t intentional neither did I want such a thing to happen. I regret.”
Then came the 2nd take. “After Baijayant Babu lost 2019 Lok Sabha elections against me, his family-owned channel (OTV) has been irritating and insulting me more frequently,” said Mohanty.
In the final part, the MP appealed, “It’s my humble request to Baijayant Babu, do not harass me at a time when I am working for the people of Kendrapara. I am serving the people and will continue to do so.”
OTV wants to clarify, “Baijayant Panda has no role in OTV's management & specifically during this incident, he was abroad for delivering lectures at Oxford, Cambridge. OTV is run by professional journalists & operates independently. We strongly follow a charter on Free, Fair & Unbiased reporting & every news we carry is guided by this charter.”
Anubhav Mohanty misbehaved with a journalist and OTV demands that instead of expressing regret, the MP should apologise.
Responding to media queries on the MP's misbehaviour towards OTV journalist, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik said "I will certainly look into the matter."
BJP National Vice-President Jay Panda, however, refused to comment on Anubhav Mohanty’s statements.
Meanwhile after Anubhav posted the video on social media, the Twitter-verse condemning the incident blasted him while asking him to behave like an MP. Another user said BJD converted the illegal Bangladeshi settlement in Kendrapara into vote bank. A few others called Mohanty as ‘Dramebaaz’.
Here are some of the tweets..
It is pertinent to mention here that Kendrapara Police has registered a case against MP Anubhav Mohanty on charges of misbehaving with OTV reporter Manoj Swain on November 5. As per reports, police registered a case under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections -341, 323, 294, 500 and 506 against the Parliamentarian.
Reportedly, Anubhav misbehaved and allegedly verbally abused and threatened OTV scribe Manoj Swain when he approached the former for a byte at Kendrapara Collectorate after a project announcement. The parliamentarian was seen shoving the OTV boom and later dragged the journalist in front of the camera before mockingly clapping and commenting ‘you show news by distorting it’. Some other supporters of the actor-turned politician were also seen applauding his disgraceful gesture.