Shreemayee Mishra suspended from BJD for anti-party activities

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has suspended Shreemayee Mishra, the General Secretary of its Women's Affairs wing, on charges of anti-party activities. The action, announced through an office order issued on Tuesday, also included the suspension of two other district-level leaders, Subas Chandra Sai, Ex-Block President, Kaptipada, and Prabir Chandra Sai, Ex-District Secretary, Mayurbhanj. However, Mishra’s name has drawn the sharpest attention.

Responding to her suspension, Shreemayee said, “I have never compromised with my self-respect and dignity, nor will I ever do it. For the past one year I have not been with the party, I have not even renewed my membership. If such a party suspends me, people will only laugh.”

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A Prominent Face Removed

Shreemayee has long been regarded as one of the articulate and visible women leaders of the party. Her suspension has come as a surprise to many within political circles, given her position and earlier visibility in organizational activities. 
While the suspension order does not specify reasons, it comes close on the heels of a social media post by Mishra that triggered debate.

The Recent Controversy

The storm began when Shreemayee, in a striking social media post, invoked the Mahabharata where she was believed to have indirectly referred to fromer Chief Minister and BJD President, Naveen Patnaik as ‘Dhritarashtra,’ sparking a heated political debate. 

“Some people, like Dhritarashtra, turn blind and fail to stop wrongdoings. History never forgives such unworthy kings, as their silence leads to tragic consequences,” she said in her post.

Also Read: ‘Dhritarashtra’ to ‘Sanyasi’, BJD’s Shreemayee Mishra takes indirect dig at VK Pandian after Naveen?

Then Shreemayee once again stirred political circles with a cryptic social media post writing about ‘fake monks,’ which many believe is an indirect reference to former bureaucrat and ex-BJD leader VK Pandian. 

Shreemayee wrote that the definition of a monk has changed in today’s times. Traditionally, society regards those who renounce worldly pleasures as true monks. However, she said, when this principle is violated, such individuals are branded as ‘fake monks.’