PCC President writes to Odisha CM over denial of respect to former Speaker

Bhubaneswar, Oct 14: Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Niranjan Patnaik today wrote a letter to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for not giving proper homage and honour to Former Speaker of Odisha Assembly and eminent politician Sarat Kumar Kar who died on Monday. “With a breaking heart I am writing all these few words and waiting for your reaction on it. Not me alone, the people of Odisha is mourning on the sad demise of the veteran political leader of our period Sri Sarata Kumar Kar, three time member of odisha legislative assembly. As the leader of the house you will certainty acknowledge his contribution as speaker from the year 2000 to 2004. He too was the member of Parliament and number of times Cabinet Minister. It is indeed a matter of utter disappointment and humiliation for the citizens of Odisha, the great soul was not given proper homage and honour by the state,” read the letter. Niranjan further wrote that denial of cremation of Kar’s body at Swargadwara in Puri was painful.  “He was known as the devotee of Sri Jagannath cult. The family and son desired to take the body to 'SWARGADWAR' for cremation to fulfil the last desire of great soul. Reasons are best known to you as to why prayer was denied while in some other cases the administration was lenient.  I think all these, perhaps didn't happen with your knowledge. If it is true, how the officials of administration dare to dishonour and deny the protocol and disrespect of such a great soul. It all impeached pain to the members of the braved family. I believe it is a matter of most inexcusable incident and in human nature,” added the letter.