Previous govt was 'touch me not, speak me not & see me not’: Odisha Collector’s remarks triggers row

Controversy has erupted over a political speech delivered by Subarnapur District Collector Nruparaj Sahu at the recent Subhadra Shakti Mela in Sonepur. The remarks, in which the Collector reportedly praised the current government and criticised the previous administration, have triggered widespread discussion.

During the event, held in the presence of the Chief Minister on Sunday, Collector Sahu allegedly targeted the former BJD government, claiming that the previous rulers were “untouchable and unaccountable,” implying that they could not be questioned or criticised. He stated that the current BJP government has broken this tradition.

"There was a time when the then government behaved as 'touch me not, speak me not and see me not'. The current government has completely broken that tradition," said Subarnapur District Collector Nruparaj Sahu.

The speech, noted for its direct political tone, has intensified debate in the district. Opposition parties, particularly the BJD, have criticised the Collector for making politically charged statements during an official function. The party alleged that the remarks reflect the failures of the Chief Secretary and point to a breakdown in governance, accusing the Collector of attempting to please the Chief Minister.

" If administrators and officials start behaving in a political manner, it clearly reflects the failure of the Chief Secretary. If Subarnapur District Collector Nruparaj Sahu wishes to engage in politics and join the BJP, he is free to do so. However, while holding the constitutional post of a District Collector, making such cartoonish statements at a public programme merely to please the Chief Minister is highly condemnable," said BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty.

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On the other hand, the BJP defended the administration, stating that the government operates within the framework of democratic processes and opposes the politicisation of officials. The party also highlighted that during the BJD’s tenure, officials were involved in party activities such as issuing directives to leaders, distributing tickets, and managing elections, urging the opposition to refrain from making such comments.

"The BJP functions strictly within the framework of democratic processes. In contrast, during the BJD’s tenure, there were instances where government officers allegedly prepared CCRs of party leaders and even played a role in distributing tickets. Instead of making accusations, the BJD should introspect on its own actions," said BJP General Secretary Biranchi Narayan Tripathy.

Questions are now being raised over the appropriateness of the Collector’s remarks. As the head of the district administration, making politically charged statements during an official event could be seen as a violation of service conduct rules. Despite repeated government directives, concerns persist over such deviations among the officials.