Mystery Surrounds the Torching of Biju Patnaik's Statue in Patnagarh

Incident Overview

In Patnagarh, Bolangir district, a statue honoring former Chief Minister of Odisha, Biju Patnaik, was reportedly set ablaze by unknown assailants early Tuesday morning at Block Chowk, according to local sources.

Following the incident, sanitation personnel from the Patnagarh Notified Area Council (NAC) initiated cleanup operations. Authorities have commenced an investigation into the matter.

Reports indicate that this act follows previous objections regarding the statue's installation. When Saroj Kumar Meher, a former MLA from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), sought to place the statue, members of the Brahmin community raised concerns.

In response, the community organized a month-long sit-in, advocating for the installation of a statue of Lord Parashurama, one of the ten avatars of the Hindu deity Vishnu, at the same site.

Ultimately, the statue of Biju Patnaik was installed under administrative directives but remained covered with plastic.