3 min readBhubaneswarNov 18, 2018 09:00 AM IST
First published on: Nov 18, 2018 at 04:46 AM IST
Mitra, who works with Delhi-based Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies as a senior research fellow, was sent to Bhubaneswar’s Jharpada Jail
AN ODISHA House committee set up to probe charges of breach of privilege against defence analyst Abhijit Iyer-Mitra, who had allegedly made derogatory remarks against legislators of the state, recommended on Saturday that the matter be dropped on grounds of “magnanimity”.
Mitra, who works with Delhi-based Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies as a senior research fellow, was sent to Bhubaneswar’s Jharpada Jail after two FIRs were lodged against him in Konark and Puri for allegedly promoting enmity between groups and wounding religious sentiments. Two bail applications moved by his counsel had also been rejected.
Addressing the media, the committee chairperson and Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra said, “We (the House Committee) discerned that his acceptance of guilt and apology were both voluntary. We also recommended to the House to direct the state government to provide study materials that can educate Iyer-Mitra about Odisha’s art, culture and history.”
In September, Iyer-Mitra had taken a chopper ride across a stretch of coastal Odisha, up to Konark, with former BJD MP Baijayant Panda. The helicopter, flown by Panda, was seized days by Odisha Police later over an alleged attempted landing on Chilika lake, citing that it is an eco-sensitive zone with a no-flying restriction. DGCA cleared Panda saying no rules and regulation were violated during the said flight.
Iyer-Mitra later posted videos on Twitter and allegedly made some controversial statements on the Sun Temple at Konark and on Odisha’s origins, which sparked protests.
The defence analyst had allegedly also made some derogatory remarks on Odisha legislators, following which Odisha Speaker Pradeep Amat approved constitution of a committee to probe if the remarks amounted to a breach of privilege. The committee, chaired by Mishra, included MLAs across party lines.
Soon after the committee was formed, Mishra told The Indian Express that “the MLAs discussed this gentleman’s (Iyer-Mitra) derogatory remarks about Konark and Puri. In retaliation, he said something like ‘all MLAs in the Odisha Legislative Assembly are idiots’. It is a way of putting pressure on MLAs so that they don’t criticise him. That amounts to breach of privilege”. The committee report stated that “he (Iyer-Mitra) has begged unconditional and unreserved apology before the committee”. It recommended that the House may be “magnanimous to consider and accept the apology and drop the matter”.
Mitra, who works with Delhi-based Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies as a senior research fellow, was sent to Bhubaneswar’s Jharpada Jail
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