Former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju calls Odias 'poor and dejected'

BHUBANESWAR: Odias are not happy about being described as a "poor and dejected" lot by former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju.

Katju, who is very active on social media, had posted his opinion about the people of Odisha on Facebook on Thursday.

The post referred to Oriyas as being a dejected lot ever since they suffered defeat at the hands of king Ashoka in the battle of Kalinga. "Now all they have with them are a lot of pots (Patras), big pots (Mahapatras), and supposedly intelligent kings (Patnaiks). And of course, they have Lord Jaggannath, to whom they pray every day for revenge on the abominable Biharis Hari Om," said the post.

The remark appears to have incensed Odias across the political spectrum, including the Jagannath Sena. BJD parliamentarian Tathagata Satpathy followed what may or may not be his opinion on the former justice with a disclaimer similar to Katju's. "PS: All this is a joke. Plllleease do not file charges against me," said the tweet on his official handle.

The BJP held a press conference in the state where senior leader Biswa Bhusan Harichandan had a little history lesson for justice Katju, while the Jagannath Sena burnt a poster of Katju, calling him "desh drohi", and announced that he would not be allowed to visit Odisha.

Katju, whose grandfather was Odisha's first post-independence governor, has accused Odias of harbouring a very old grudge against Biharis —since Ashoka conquered Kalinga empire—earlier too. But earlier, the brunt of his humor was to be borne by Biharis. Katju had suggested that Bihar should be offered along with Kashmir—an unpalatable offer which was bound to be turned down by Pakistan. Biharis were not amused, to which Katju said, "Biharis lacked a sense of humour."

Apparently, as Katju since acknowledges on Twitter, "Odias have many great achievements" but don't have a sense of humour.