FIR against Manmath Routaray sparks major political debate in Odisha

The political atmosphere in Odisha heated up on Saturday after a case was registered against BJD leader Manmath Routaray for allegedly making derogatory remarks about the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi during the Nuapada by-election campaign.

Following the controversy, both the BJD and the BJP have issued strong counter-statements.

BJP defended the complaint filed against Manmath, stating that the remarks he made during the Nuapada by-election were ‘extremely derogatory’ and ‘unacceptable in public discourse’.

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Following the complaint by the BJP’s Legal Cell, a case was registered at the Cyber Police Station, and several serious sections have been imposed.
The charges against Manmath include BNS 294(2) and 296 for making objectionable comments, BNS 353(2) for spreading false rumours, and BNS 356(2) for defamation. Additionally, the stringent IT Act Section 67B has also been invoked.

However, Biju Yuva Janata Dal (BYJD) president Chinmay Sahu came out in support of Routray and raised sharp questions against the BJP. He alleged that when a BJP MLA had earlier made objectionable comments against Lekhashree Samantsinghar, no case or action was taken.

“When misogynistic, objectionable and sexiest remarks were made against a front-row leader like Lekhashree Samantsinghar, what action did you take. Basant Panda said that people who are changing parties are ‘sex workers’. This is their language. Not just now, but earlier, also a BJP leader who is now the Health Minister had used unparliamentary words and highly objectionable remarks inside the Assembly. He even manhandled a senior Congress leader, but did they take any steps or book them? As Biju Babu, the pride of Odisha, was being targeted, Manmath made the remark. Now, they are booking him, while no actions were taken against any BJP leaders earlier,” alleged BJD Youth Wing President Chinmay Sahu.