Video of BJD MLA Brandishing Sword goes viral, BJP’s Jaynarayan Mishra alleges double standards

Samblapur: After a video of ruling-BJD's Rairakhol MLA, Rohit Pujari brandishing a sword went viral on social media, BJP's Sambalpur MLA Jaynarayan Mishra today alleged that all are not equal before the law in Odisha as the State govt adopts double standards.

“There is no law which prohibits brandishing of swords during religious processions, still a case was registered against me and later I was arrested under Arms Act. Though wielding of swords on such occasions is a tradition, I became a victim of vindictive politics,” alleged the BJP legislator.

“Though there is no law which prohibits brandishing of swords during religious processions, a vindictive case was registered against me,” says #Sambalpur MLA Jaynarayan Mishra adding that there’s nothing to object to #Rairakhol MLA Rohit Pujari wielding sword during Muharram pic.twitter.com/zYCabbbQep

— OTV (@otvnews) September 12, 2019

He further said that he has no objection to the Rairakhol MLA brandishing sword during Muharram in Sambalpur as it was a part of the religious tradition. He further claimed that Bargarh BJD MLA Debesh Acharya had also in past brandished sword, but no action was taken against him.

“Why are there different rules for different people? Law should be equal for all,” Mishra added.

Responding to the allegation, Pujari said, “I wielded a wooden sword. Several people along with officials of the district administration were there. I never indulge in such irresponsible act which is against the law of the land.”

"It’s unfortunate that the BJP is trying to politicise the issue. The BJP is trying to defame me," he added.

Sword wielding allegation: “I had wielded a wooden sword during Muharram procession. It’s unfortunate that the BJP is trying to politicise the incident & defame me," responds BJD Rairakhol MLA Rohit Pujari #Odisha pic.twitter.com/m37THEd3jQ

— OTV (@otvnews) September 12, 2019