Ramakanta Biswas

Bhubaneswar: A day after a group of 80 artistes from Odisha remained stuck at the Red Fort due to the violence and chaos during the tractor rally by farmers, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Prahlad Singh Patel paid a visit to them at Gandhi Smriti on Wednesday.

"It is our responsibility to ensure safety of the children who came to the national capital to showcase their talent. As the children stayed at Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, which are part of my ministry, the department officials were in regular touch for their safe return," Patel said.

"The whole nation witnessed their programme and appreciated it. However, they faced sudden inconvenience and our officials did the needful," the Union Minister added.

Speaking about the incident, an artiste said, "We stuck at Red Fort for several hours and faced inconvenience. However, we reached our lodging facility safely following the officials' intervention."

"We were in a jubilant mood after the completion of our programme when our institution chief received the information about the road blockade. We remained in the bus for five hours. Our sir arranged food for us. Later, Delhi police escorted us to our lodging safely," said another artiste.

Notably, the 80 artistes from Odisha had gone to Delhi to perform Bajasal, a popular tribal folk dance of Kalahandi district at the Republic Day parade. The artistes remained stuck at Red Fort for five hours due to the protest against three farm laws. In the evening, police rescued the artistes and shifted them to Daryaganj Mess of Delhi Police.

(Edited By Pradeep Singh)

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