Analyst Summoned by House Panel For Joking About Konark Temple

Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra said Iyer-Mitra has been asked to appear before the panel members on 11 Oct.

Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra said Abhijit Iyer-Mitra has been asked to appear before the panel members on October 11.

(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

A six-member Assembly committee on Friday, 28 September, issued a notice summoning journalist Abhijit Iyer-Mitra over his alleged derogatory remarks against Odisha, its places of worship and the lawmakers.

Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra, who is also the chairman of the committee, said Abhijit Iyer-Mitra has been asked to appear before the panel members on October 11.

“It has been decided to issue a notice to Iyer Mitra to appear in person before the House committee on 11 October, 2018. He is urged to remain present at 11 am on 11 October in room number 54 of the Odisha Assembly.”

Narasingha Mishra, Leader of Opposition (Odisha Assembly)

Analyst Abhijit had gone to Odisha on September 15, apparently at the invitation of former MP Baijayant Panda.

After touring Puri, Konark and Chilika, he had allegedly posted derogatory remarks on social media about the state, its culture and tradition and lawmakers.

He was arrested by Odisha Police, with the help of Delhi Police, on September 20. Analyst Abhijit was arrested on charges of outraging religious sentiments of people.

A Delhi court later granted him bail on a bond of Rs 1 lakh and directed him to join the investigation at Konark police station.

A Delhi court later granted him bail on a bond of Rs 1 lakh and directed him to join the investigation at Konark police station.

The six-member committee sought Iyer-Mitra's deposal after recording statements of Odisha DGP, Director of Intelligence, and head of two media houses Friday, Mishra said.

“Taking into account evidences and statements of the witnesses, a prima facie has been made against Iyer Mitra. The committee will like to hear his version in regard to alleged derogatory remarks made against the state, Konark Temple, Jagannath Temple and the lawmakers”, he added.

The House panel, with BJD MLAs Debi Prasad Mishra, Pramila Mallick, Arun Sahoo, Sanjay Dasburma and BJP legislature party leader K V Singhdeo as members, was constituted on September 20, the day Iyer-Mitra was arrested.

It is scheduled to submit its probe report on the first day of the next session of the Odisha Assembly.